Sask. residents 18 and older eligible for COVID-19 booster shots as of Monday

Saskatchewan is expanding its COVID-19 booster shot program in the face of the Omicron variant threat.

As ofDec. 20, everyone 18 and olderwill be eligible for a third COVID-19 vaccine dose three months after their second dose.

Residents can book appointments on the Saskatchewan Health Authority website starting 8 a.m. on Monday.

The uptake for booster and third doses among eligible peopleis 38 per cent to date, the province said, with more than 159,649 administered.

People are also encouraged to pick up rapid test kits, which are available for free at pharmacies, schools and chambers of commerce offices.You can find participating locations for the kits here.

Over eight million kits have been distributed to date, according to the province, with an additional four million on the way.

Testing "needs to be more normalized in the weeks and months ahead,"Premier Scott Moe said Thursday.

He told reporters that he took a rapid test before his in-person news conference on Thursday because he had had a busy week and is also returning to his home in Shellbrook, Sask., for Christmas.

"We're providing the tools to Saskatchewan people here today. We're asking them to utilize and avail themselves of those tools," Moe said.

He said Saskatchewan residents need to exercise a "significant degree of caution" as the Omicron variant rapidly spreads in Canada.

"It doesn't mean we have to stay at home. It doesn't mean that we can't do the things and see the people we know and love, but use the tools that are available that were not available a year ago," Moe said.

Moe calledthe Omicron variant the "most significant challenge yet" during the COVID-19 pandemic.Saskatchewan residents should assume community spread of Omicron is happening in the province, he said.

Saskatchewan hasfive confirmedCOVID-19 cases stemming from the Omicron variant, with no new Omicron cases reported Thursday.

Expanding eligibility '1 part' of tackling Omicron: NDP

Opposition NDPLeader Ryan Meili, who earlier this week called for the development of an Omicron plan,said expanding booster eligibility is only "one part" of any plan.

"Getting people the shot is key but slowing down the virus is also very important. We have yet to hear clear plans of any further public health restrictions," Meili said at a news conference Thursday afternoon.

He called on the government to provide "clear, simple guidance" on holiday gatherings, as well as a "road map" of whatthresholds of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizationswould trigger furtherrestrictions.

"We're past the time for learning on the fly," Meili said.

"Let's stop with the surprises and have a road map ahead of us so we know we can keep people safe."

Meili also wants the province to makemodelling that factors in Omicron public.

Moe said Chief Medical Health OfficerDr. Saqib Shahabis working on such modelling.

However, the premier saidthe government is not considering bringing in measures on gathering sizes or other restrictions at this time.