Update #2 This afternoon, Manitoba Education announced that all schools in Manitoba will be closed starting March 23 to April 10, 2020. This is a proactive measure to lessen the spread of COVID-19, which is still considered low risk. For the week of March 16 to 20, 2020, schools will be open, however, if the parent chooses to self-isolate or increase the degree of social distancing for their child, Brandon School Division will provide programming and support. There will be no classes during Spring Break, March 30 to April 3, 2020. During the weeks of March 23 to 27 and April 6 to 9, students will not be attending school. Plans are currently being created and will be communicated to parents next week. We understand that parents will have questions. Brandon School Division is committed to working with parents to provide answers and to address any challenges that may arise in the upcoming week. Brandon School Division will be continually monitoring this highly fluid situation and will be communicating with health authorities and the provincial government. Brandon School Division will provide regular updates through the website/social media. Update #1 Brandon School Division has been monitoring the COVID-19 situation and following the expert advice of health authorities. The Public Health of Canada has assessed the public health risk associated with COVID-19 as low for the general population in Canada. While our region has not experienced the same level of risk as other jurisdictions, we started contingency plans in February as a proactive step. As a result of this planning, a number of preventative measures have been implemented to assist in managing the level of risk.  Custodial training in best practices for disinfection of surfaces  Increased frequency of disinfection of high touch surfaces  Implementation of disinfecting procedures on buses twice per day  Promotion of handwashing  Increased signage for effective hand washing procedures  Cancellation of international trips for students  Cancellation of out of country travel for staff professional development  Regular monitoring/consulting with Public Health On March 12, 2020, Manitobans were recommended to use Social Distancing Strategies to limit the spread of COVID-19. 3While Brandon School Division is not aware of any confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 or confirmed contacts in the region, we believe we can play a major role in limiting the spread of COVID-19. Brandon School Division is now implementing the additional preventative measures.  Creation of a link on the Brandon School Division website for bulletins/updates to keep parents, students and staff informed  Social media notifications when an update is posted on the website  Cancellation of staff attendance at conferences  Cancellation of out-of-province and overnight student trips  Review upcoming off-site day trips regarding cancellation  Cancellation of school assemblies and public events  Restriction of school visitors  Increase the frequency of high touch surfaces disinfection  Provide further custodial training to reflect the increased cleaning expectations  Provide students and staff with hygiene training: hand wash training with soap and water for at least 15 seconds; avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands; covering a cough or sneeze with a tissue; and appropriate disposal of tissue  Instruct staff and students to stay at home when ill  Instruct staff and students who are returning from traveling out of province to follow the health guidelines for self isolation and self monitoring  Schools offer support to parents for distance learning opportunities if the parent decides to self isolate or increase the degree of social distancing for their child  Provide resources to school staff and parents to assist in working with students that are experiencing anxiety over COVID-19 Brandon School Division will be continually monitoring this highly fluid situation and will be communicating with health authorities. Brandon School Division will provide regular updates through the website/social media.

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.