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.

Westman Communications Group (Westman) is supporting its communities by initiating their “90-Day Pledge to Keep You Connected.” Starting March 27, for the next 90 days, Westman is committing to their valued Residential and Small Business Members that their services will not be disconnected if Members are unable to pay their bills due to economic circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Westman will also be waiving all late fees incurred because of these disruptions. “As we continue to navigate through this difficult time together, the wellbeing of our staff, members, and communities is our top priority,” explained President & CEO Dave Baxter. “We know that now, more than ever, keeping people connected to broadband services is extremely important, which is what drove our decision to implement our 90-Day Pledge.” While many people are transitioning to working remotely, online schooling, and video chatting with family and friends, broadband has become a critical service to keep people connected and informed as they take part in important ‘social distancing’ practices. Westman Communications will do their part in keeping everyone connected and lessen the financial impact of COVID-19. “In addition to keeping customers connected, we will be increasing the speeds of all our Internet service packages by up to 20 percent for 90 days at no additional cost,” adds Baxter. “We are also committed to maintaining a robust, reliable network that our Members can count on,” Baxter also noted that they will not be implementing rate adjustments for any services. The rate adjustments that were communicated to members in early February to take effect April 1 will be deferred to September 1. Members who have already been billed for parts of April will receive a credit adjustment on their next bill. For more information on Westman’s 90-day Pledge to Keep You Connected and the other ways they are assisting their customers though these difficult times, visit www.westmancom.com/90-day-pledge. (Westman Communications Group Media Release)

Brandon, MB – As the City of Brandon continues to monitor the response to COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) in Manitoba, a decision has been made by the Brandon Emergency Response Control Group to activate its pandemic preparedness plan at the Municipal Water Treatment Facility in an effort to ensure the plant can continue to safely produce potable water for residents, institutions, and businesses. As of 6 p.m. today (Thursday, March 26th), a crew of nine municipal water treatment facility operators and maintenance staff will enter the treatment facility and remain sequestered on-site 24-7. As part of this well-developed plan, trailers have been brought on-site to serve as personal accommodations for this crew, all of whom have volunteered for this duty. A total of 14 additional water treatment facility and maintenance staff remain on-the-job outside of the facility, with contingencies in place to ensure their health should a shift switch need to be considered in the coming weeks. Brandon Mayor Rick Chrest stresses that enacting this plan should not be a cause for public alarm and is being done proactively to protect the water treatment facility’s functions, which rank with protective services as an essential service amidst this continued pandemic. “In keeping with our Emergency Coordinator Brian Kayes’ philosophy of ‘Get Big Fast’ in an emergency response, we are doing all we can to ensure that we have a full contingent of healthy staff to perform critical functions at the municipal water treatment facility,” Chrest says. “I want to personally commend this group of water treatment facility staff, who have stepped up and put the comfort and security of their own lives on hold in order to ensure that our community’s supply of safe, potable water remains uninterrupted.” City of Brandon General Manager of Development Services Patrick Pulak adds that it is very important for the community to understand that the COVID-19 virus cannot be contracted via the water supply, and that this plan is being enacted strictly to ensure the health of the facility’s operators. “As residual chlorine in the water leaving our treatment facility serves to kill any such viruses, we want to ensure residents that the water coming from their tap in their home continues to be the same safe supply of water we have always produced,” Pulak notes. 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. (City of Brandon Media Release)