Front-line health care workers in Saskatchewan are going to need to provide proof of vaccination in the workplace, and if they choose not to, there will be regular COVID-19 testing.

The Premier says the province has been recommending its workers get vaccinated, but Scott Moe says it’s now time to take it a step further, beginning with Tier 1 and Tier 2 front-line health care workers.

The province made the announcement Monday, saying the Health Ministry and the Saskatchewan Health Authority are working with the public health sector to establish a policy.

Meanwhile, vaccination boosters will be offered next Tuesday, September 7 to eligible Saskatchewan residents.

First phase eligibility includes residents of long-term and personal care homes, transplant recipients, recipients of stable, active treatment such as chemotherapy or recipients of an anti-CD20 agent. The provincial government has introduced vaccination boosters in light of evidence that shows aged and immunocompromised people have their initial two COVID-19 vaccinations become less effective over time. Eligible recipients of vaccination booster shots must wait at least eight weeks after getting their second shots.

In addition, a one-page printable form is now available to Saskatchewan residents who need it in order to show proof of vaccination in order to host or attend events or access the services of businesses, municipalities, venue and event organizers who request it. The provincial government is working to include a digital Quick Response (Q-R) code to My Sask Health Record individual accounts early in the fall. The current printable forms are now available to anyone with an M-S-H-R account through e-health Saskatchewan.