Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe announced on Tuesday that passport vaccinations will no longer be mandatory in the province as of February 14.
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Saskatchewan becomes the first province in Canada to announce the end of proof of vaccination.
However, the vaccine passport and QR codes will still be available for citizens of the province who will need them, especially for travel.
Wearing a mask in indoor public spaces will remain in effect until the end of February, the Prime Minister also announced during his press briefing on Tuesday. Moe also said it was time “to take the next step in living with COVID-19 and getting our lives back to normal.”
“Vaccination evidence has been an effective policy, but its effectiveness has run its course,” Scott Moe said. The benefits no longer outweigh the costs. It’s time to heal the divisions about immunization in our families, in our communities and in our province. It’s time for proof of vaccination requirements to end.”
Vaccines as well as rapid tests will continue to be available across the province, he said.
“Individual responsibility to self-monitor, test and isolate” remains essential according to the Prime Minister who believes that “it will be important for all citizens to assess their own level of risk and take the appropriate measures. “.