Source: Brandon School Division Update #10 on COVID-19 Brandon School Division is continually monitoring this highly fluid situation and its impact on staff, students, parents and the community. We are in constant communication with health authorities and the province. Key Messages  Following the recommendations from the Chief Provincial Public Health Officer, all schools have been directed by the Minister of Education to suspend classroom learning indefinitely for this school year.  Our schools will continue to operate with an essential services model which means the doors are locked, but we will have essential staff working so that the building is accessible. We will continue to respect the Chief Provincial Public Medical Officer’s Health Order for social distancing.  All students will be expected to actively engage in remote learning.  Students who were on track to graduate this year will graduate.  No student will be held back a grade because of COVID-19 pandemic.  Provincial exams will be cancelled. However, assessments will continue.  Students will receive a final grade and report card.  Planning is underway to develop a framework for teaching and learning for the remainder of the school year and Manitoba Education will share the specific framework and more details in the days ahead.  To assist in the planning, Manitoba Education has established planning teams related to seven priority areas. The teams include: o Distance and Online Learning Technology o Child Nutrition o Students without Technology o Clinical Supports and Special Needs o K-8 Assessment and Learning o Grade 9 – 12 Assessment and Learning o Graduating Students and Adult Learners  Child-care centres located in schools will continue to operate under the current conditions set out by the Chief Provincial Public Health Officer. We understand that this is a difficult time. We thank everyone for their patience and understanding as we work through this challenging situation and will keep you updated in the days ahead.

City of Brandon Public Service Announcement Brandon, MB – In an effort to ensure community cooperation with the Province of Manitoba’s Public Health Orders regarding the limiting of public gatherings to 10 people or less, City of Brandon Parks & Recreation Services has closed public access to the Kristopher Campbell Memorial Skate Plaza, effective immediately. Signage and fencing is being placed at the plaza today and we would ask that all members of the community respect these efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19 in our community. Access to the City of Brandon’s various picnic shelters and gazebos will also be restricted to deter gatherings, basketball hoops are being removed from City-maintained basketball courts in the community, and tennis nets and volleyball nets will not be installed in City of Brandon parks at this time. Residents and visitors to Brandon are reminded that access to all City of Brandon-maintained playground structures and outdoor fitness equipment stations remains prohibited until further notice. Parks/greenspaces, off-leash dog parks and walking/biking trails remain open at this time; however, the City of Brandon would stress that anyone accessing these spaces MUST practice safe physical distancing protocols as laid out by the Province of Manitoba. Information on the City of Brandon’s COVID-19 response can be found at http://www.brandon.ca/covid-19-updates. General enquiries relating to municipal services can be directed to the City of Brandon Enquiry Line at 204-729-2186 during regular business hours or can be submitted online at http://www.brandon.ca/contact-us.

Source: Province of MB News Release The Manitoba government will authorize the sale of liquor with take out and delivery meal service by licensed establishments, Crown Services Minister Jeff Wharton announced today. “We have heard from restaurant owners who have expressed a strong interest in selling wine, beer and single-serve beverages through food take out or delivery service, and had already started the process of bringing in necessary changes,” said Wharton.  “These businesses have been significantly impacted by the outbreak of COVID-19 and by allowing this flexibility now, restaurants will be able to offer an additional service to customers when it is needed most.” The Manitoba government has issued a new public health order to reduce the spread of COVID-19 that prohibits all restaurants and other commercial facilities from serving food to customers in their premises.  However, restaurants and other commercial facilities can prepare and serve food for delivery or takeout. Enabling licensed establishments to sell liquor with take out and delivery will provide greater opportunities and flexibility for businesses significantly impacted by COVID-19, and more choice and convenience for consumers coping with the pandemic at home, the minister said. Liquor delivery and take out orders would be linked to meal orders and offered by licensed establishments whose primary business is food, such as restaurants.  Liquor pricing will be the same as in-dining service menu prices, which will link wine and beer retail to the licensees’ meal service.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release Brandon Police Service has received information that fraudsters are pretending to represent the city employees as they solicit donations for the City of Brandon to “help with the COVID-19 battle” during phone calls. Please note that the City of Brandon is not soliciting or accepting any donations. Anyone who is looking to donate to a local charity or non-profit during the COVID-19 pandemic is encouraged to contact your favorite organization directly. Unfortunately, scam artists are looking to take advantage of our generosity and are reaching out to unsuspecting victims. What do you do if you receive a call from someone who is soliciting donations, and you wish to donate to the charity or non-profit they claim to represent? We encourage you to hang-up, then look up contact information for the agency yourself, and inquire as to how you can help.  Most non-profits have websites, or social media pages with their information listed, and directions on how you can assist them. If you suspect you have received one of these calls, you do not need to contact police, unless you provided personal information or sent money to the caller. Please share this information with those who may be more vulnerable or trusting.  

Friday afternoons are typically a very busy time in Brandon. Traffic is flowing in and out of the city, restaurants are starting to fill with hungry patrons, business is booming, and people are out and about carrying on with their daily business. The impact of "social distancing" has had a major impact in Brandon and all communities in the world, amid the COVID-19 threat. Today, we sent a photographer out to capture the now noticeably quieter streets and public spaces in the Wheat City.