Premier Moe to address province live on Wednesday night, unveil 'Re-Open' plan Thursday

Premier Scott Moe will make a rare live television address to a province-wide audience on Wednesday to discuss the COVID-19 situation in Saskatchewan.

Moe's speech will be carried on all CBC Saskatchewan platforms: television, radio, web and social media.

It will be the first of its kind by a Saskatchewan premier in recent memory.

"Premier Moe is expected to address Saskatchewan's progress through the COVID-19 pandemic, including the vigilance that has been displayed and must be maintained as we look toward the next chapter of reopening Saskatchewan," said a media advisory from the premier's office Tuesday,

The government's 'Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan' will then be released on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. CST by Moe and chief medical health officer Dr. Saqib Shahab, the release said.

The plan will set the framework of how Saskatchewan's economy will be gradually, methodically and cautiously reopened so that more Saskatchewan people can safely return to work," the release said.

On Monday, Shahab said physical distancing will continue indefinitely. 

"We should understand that until such time that there is an effective vaccine, or treatment, or until such time that most of us have some level of immunity, we will have to maintain physical distancing."

Estimates on the readiness of a vaccine vary, but even the most hopeful predictions put it between 12 and 18 months.

Shahab said the province has been looking to other parts of the world for insight into how to gradually lift restrictions in this province. 

"We've been looking very carefully at countries in Europe who are relaxing some measures, we've been looking very closely at countries in South East Asia that in fact tried to go back to normal and saw a … spike," said Shahab. 

Moe said last week that any removing of restrictions would not be like flipping a switch.

"Businesses will be expected to maintain good physical distancing and good cleaning practices," he said. 

Moe also said the province would need a sustained flat curve to start removing or relaxing public health orders.

How to watch or listen to Premier Moe's address

CBC Saskatchewan will carry Premier Scott Moe's provincial address on Wednesday evening.

A CBC Saskatchewan news special: COVID-19 - Saskatchewan's next steps, will be hosted by CBC's Samantha Maciag and will begin at 6 p.m. CST. Premier Moe is expected to address the province moments after. 

COVID-19 - Saskatchewan's next steps will feature CBC Radio's The Morning Edition's popular political panel, which includes CBC's Adam Hunter and Regina Leader-Post columnist Murray Mandryk.

Follow the premier's address at 6 p.m. CST Wednesday

• Watch: Live streaming online at CBC Saskatchewan and CBC Saskatoon websites, CBC Gem, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. 

• Watch: Live on CBC Television (check your TV service provider for channel).

• Listen: Live on CBC Radio One (540 AM; 102.5 FM-Regina; 94.1 FM-Saskatoon).

Follow Saskatchewan's reopen plan at 10:30 a.m. CST Thursday

Premier Moe will be joined by Saskatchewan Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab to announce the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan.  

The Re-Open Saskatchewan plan will set the framework of how Saskatchewan's economy will be gradually, methodically and cautiously reopened so that more Saskatchewan people can safely return to work.

• Watch: Live streaming online at CBC Saskatchewan and CBC Saskatoon websites, Facebook and Twitter.

Listen: Live on CBC Radio One (540 AM; 102.5 FM-Regina; 94.1 FM-Saskatoon).