If you were hoping Friday might see you get the chance to meet with someone outside your household or work out without wearing a mask, today's message from the provincial health authority must come as a disappointment. The public health orders of December 17 and those prior remain in effect. 

This means private, indoor gatherings remain limited to household members only. People may meet and greet outdoors with up to 10 people only, provided physical distancing between households can be maintained.

All public health orders around sports and fitness facilities remain in place as well. Sports are on hold and practices are only permitted for those under 18, with groups being limited to eight people. Anyone working out must wear a mask at all times. 

This also means mandatory mask orders will stay in place until at least January 29. Masks are currently mandatory in all public places in Saskatchewan. The province also discourages, but does not actively prohibit, interprovincial travel. 

The public health orders will be reviewed by the Chief Medical Health Officer prior to January 29 based on where the province is at in the ongoing battle against COVID-19. After losing over 1000 active cases in December, the province has gained most of them back in the first half of January. There are 3752 active cases of the virus in Saskatchewan as of today's update.