SHA board member living in California since November

One of the board members of the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has been spending a lot of time in the United States.

“We can confirm that Judy Davis has been in California since mid-November, departing prior to more recent escalations in federal travel restrictions,” the SHA wrote in an email to 980 CJME. “Davis has indicated that she has no plans to return to Saskatchewan in the immediate weeks ahead and will only do so once it is safer to travel home.”

The email went on to read that she plans on abiding by all Canadian travel restrictions when it is determined to be safer to return to the province later this year.

News of Davis’s absence from the province comes after Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau announced all arrivals to Canadian airports will have to temporarily quarantine in a hotel before continuing their isolation at home.

Davis will also no longer be able to land in the province, as all international flights will land at the Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary and Montreal airports.

“Members of the Saskatchewan Health Authority Board of Directors regularly meet remotely,” the SHA wrote. “This was a common occurrence even prior to the pandemic given that SHA Board members are dispersed across the province.”

The province’s minister of health, Paul Merriman, gave his response to Davis being out of the country for the last two months.

“All Saskatchewan residents are encouraged to follow public health orders and recommendations, including strong recommendations against unnecessary travel outside of Saskatchewan,” Merriman wrote.

“As Minister of Health, I am disappointed that a member of the SHA board has not followed this recommendation. I understand the interim-chair of the SHA’s board is addressing this with the board member directly.”

Davis is one of 10 members on the board.

980 CJME reached out to Davis multiple times for comment, but she did not respond.