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REGINA - Visitors to Saskatchewan Health Authority acute care facilities and long term care facilities will require proof of vaccination.

For those who choose not to show proof of vaccination, a negative PCR or rapid antigen test performed in the past 72 hours by an approved provider must be shown.

“We know this is not something that is going to be easy, across the organization, to implement, but it's being done to ensure that we’re keeping our staff and patients as safe as possible,” said Scott Livingstone, the CEO of the health authority, at a Oct. 29 press conference.

“We do need to ensure that we’re maximizing family presence, and we believe that with the implementation of a program like this, we’re actually adding another layer of safety.”

The new policy takes effect Monday, Nov. 8. Livingstone said the date aligns with the deadline for the health authority's staff to provide proof of vaccination.

Patients will not be required to provide proof of full vaccination to receive care or service.

Livingstone said the health authority believes the vaccination requirement for visitors isn't limiting essential services because they have the option to provide a negative test result instead.

A Oct. 29 release said the health minister will be directing personal care homes to align with this policy.

The health authority added in the release that it recognizes that having a family presence is essential to safe patient and resident care, so an exemption process is being created. More information will be provided once the details are finalized.

Written with files from Larissa Kurz, SASKTODAY.ca