Strict Manitoba health orders extended through the holidays, with minor adjustments

The Manitoba government has extended public health orders from Dec. 12 until Jan. 8, 2021, as part of protecting Manitobans from COVID-19 during the holiday season, Premier Brian Pallister and Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba’s chief provincial public health officer, announced today.

“It is crucial that Manitobans continue to limit their close contacts and only gather with members of their immediate household in order to bend our COVID curve down and protect our most vulnerable friends, families and communities,” said Pallister. “We recognize this holiday season will be difficult and lonely for most, but the best thing we can do for our loved ones right now is to stay safe at home so that we can gather together, in-person next year.”

The existing Critical (red) level restrictions have been extended by public health order, with several modifications based on feedback from public, stakeholders and enforcement officials. Changes to the public health orders include:

• allowing thrift stores to open with some capacity limits, to allow access to second-hand clothing and other items;

• ensuring acupuncture and manual osteopathy practices are allowed to open to align with other health services;

• clarifying the operation of food banks and food hamper services;

• allowing private residences to allow legal services, landlord access and access for home businesses;

• encouraging safe outdoor physical activity for individuals and immediate households only by providing guidance to clarify that people not from the same household need to keep two metres of distance between them and that gathering sizes must not exceed five people;

• adding school supplies as an essential item under the restrictions to retail services;

• allowing drive-in events as a temporary measure subject to compliance with the restrictions, and cars must contain members from one household only and no one may leave the car while at the event; and

• permitting the Winnipeg Jets to train in Manitoba in preparation for an eventual NHL decision on a 2021 playing season.

A seasonal change to the order will also be included to allow for the sale of holiday decorations such as garlands and ornaments, and religious items like menorahs and candles.

“Our modelling has shown the Critical level, or red, restrictions have helped us avoid even higher case numbers right now,” said Roussin. “But our numbers are still too high and now is not the time to let up. That is why we’re extending the public health orders with some adjustments to ensure Manitobans can access the goods and services they need, and have clear direction stay safe at home before and during the holiday season.”

The updated orders and the list of items deemed essential are posted on the province’s Pandemic Response System website at https://manitoba.ca/covid19/restartmb/prs/orders/index.html#current.

Manitoba has announced the Safe at Home Manitoba program to provide support to Manitobans staying home during this critical time. Organizations, businesses and artists can visit https://https://www.safeathomemb.ca// for more information.

Manitobans can report compliance and enforcement issues by visiting www.manitoba.ca/COVID19 and completing the reporting form, or by calling 204-945-3744 or 1-866-626-4862 (toll-free) and pressing option three on the call menu.

For up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Manitoba, visit www.manitoba.ca/COVID19.

(Province of MB News Release)