From a release today from the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba. "The health and safety of our community is of utmost importance. Due to current health concerns the Provincial Exhibition Board of Directors has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Royal Manitoba Winter Fair. These decisions are not made lightly; however, we feel it is in the best interests of all. We will continue to monitor the ongoing situation and will update the public of future of events."

Brandon Fire and Emergency Services and Brandon Police Service responded to a structure fire in Brandon's north-end on Thursday night. A single-story house in the 200 block of 12th St N was heavily damaged by fire. BFES Fire Captain Kevin Holder said, "The house was fully involved upon arrival of our crews, and was self-venting through multiple points in the structure." According to Holder, one person was transported to hospital from the fire scene. No word on a cause for the fire, or on the condition of the person transported. 11 firefighter/paramedics from both fire halls responded to the fire.  Photos/article by Liam Pattison Photography.

Brandon, MB – In response to the Province of Manitoba announcing Manitoba’s first laboratory-confirmed presumptive positive case of COVID-19 (coronavirus), the City of Brandon’s Emergency Response Control Team will be enacting a number of preventative measures in the public realm aimed at helping to slow the virus’s spread and minimize its impact on our health care system and in our communities. First and foremost, the City of Brandon would encourage all members of the public to diligently visit https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/coronavirus/index.html, which is being updated daily by the Province of Manitoba with information on its response. Health-related questions or concerns about COVID-19 (coronavirus) can also be directed to Health Links – Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or 1-888-315-9257. Brandon City Council and City of Brandon Administration will be evaluating its current slate of public meetings to determine if any postponements or cancellations need to be made and will communicate any scheduling changes that may arise. In addition, the City of Brandon would ask that all residents carefully consider if attending to civic facilities is necessary, or whether conducting their business with the City of Brandon by phone, email or web service is a viable option for them. Effective immediately, if attending to a civic facility, all members of the public will be directed to either thoroughly wash their hands or apply hand sanitizer provided upon entry. All visitors accessing Brandon City Hall (410-9th Street) are to use the Louise Avenue entrance and all visitors accessing the A.R. McDiarmid Civic Complex (638 Princess Avenue) are to use the 7th Street entrance until further notice. City of Brandon staff are being instructed to practice safe social distancing when interacting with customers (minimizing prolonged contact of more than 10 minutes or close contact less than two metres/six feet) and would encourage all public accessing our facilities to practice the same. As the supply of potable water to the City of Brandon is critical to its residents, institutions, and businesses, the City of Brandon Municipal Water treatment facility located at 108 26th Street North is now CLOSED to all public until further notice. Daily production of water by plant staff continues as per normal and protecting safe operations at the facility remains of utmost importance to the City of Brandon Emergency Preparedness and Response Team. At this time, Brandon Transit services have not been impacted. The entire transit fleet is cleaned at end of each night of service and staff have been instructed to use additional sanitizing methods as required. All Brandon Transit users are encouraged to practice safe social distancing to the extent that is possible while using transit services. The City of Brandon’s Emergency Response Control Team will be monitoring the COVID-19 (coronavirus), situation as it evolves, working directly with Manitoba Health, and will provide additional public updates in the coming days and weeks as required. (City of Brandon Media Release)

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On March 11, 2020, shortly before 10:00 pm, police responded to a report of a disturbance in the 900 block of Rosser, as witnesses observed three individuals fighting. Two of the three fled prior to police arrival, but were located and arrested a short distance away. One of the suspects was in possession of a set of brass knuckles. Investigation revealed that the disturbance was actually a robbery, and property from the third individual was found on both of the arrested suspects. The victim did not require medical attention. A 35-year-old male was lodged at Brandon Correctional Centre and will appear in court today on charged of Armed Robbery, Carry Concealed Weapon, and Possess Prohibited Weapon. A 19-year-old female was lodged at Brandon Correctional Centre and will appear in court today on charged of Armed Robbery, Assault with a Weapon, and Fail to comply with Undertaking.

The Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba is monitoring the situation with Covid-19 very closely. The health and safety of our fairgoers is always a top priority. As Royal Manitoba Winter Fair is fast approaching, we are continuing to monitor the situation and develop and improve our plans based on facts we receive directly from Manitoba Health. We do have extensive handwash and hand sanitizer stations at all our events and we have increased the number of units for the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair 2020. We are in contact with Manitoba Health on a regular basis for all our events. We have requested extra support and contact with them for our protocols based on the facts that they have immediate access to. Manitoba Health is very pleased with our protocols and facilities for handwashing and sanitizing. We have always encouraged people to wash their hands to promote healthy lifestyle for all our attendees and this year will be even more noticeable with public awareness greater and our own increased capacity (we have hand wash and hand sanitizer stations throughout the facility). We are working directly with the great Keystone Centre facility to ensure that any additional steps needed for biosecurity and environmental cleanliness are being taken in the entire facility. We are also developing plans with our First Aid support St John Ambulance and our security staff from Paladin security. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and will update as needed (submitted)