Widespread shutdowns are coming as Manitoba’s premier has ordered the entire province into the red, or critical, level of their COVID-19 response plan.
Among the restrictions is a ban on social gatherings of any kind starting Thursday.
Brian Pallister says “We need a team effort now and all of us have a role to play in protecting ourselves, our loved ones and our community.”
Pallister adds “When we were abiding by the fundamentals, we were beating COVID, now COVID’s beating us. We need to get back to the fundamentals and flatten the COVID curve and we need to do that now!”
It’s not known how long the restrictions will be in place.
However, Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brent Roussin says “I think we need to prepare to have these in place for four weeks, two incubation periods, but of course we are always reviewing things and we’ll continue to review that.”
The latest figures show 365 new cases and three more deaths.
The new cases include 233 in Winnipeg and bring the Manitoba’s total number of cases reported since March to 8,495.
Here are a list of restrictions:
-Social contacts reduced to your household only. Social gatherings are not permitted.
-Travel to and from northern Manitoba is restricted and non-essential travel is discouraged.
-Retail businesses listed as critical services, such as grocery stores and pharmacies, can remain open at 25% capacity.
-Retail businesses not on the list are able to provide e-service, curbside pickup or delivery services.
-All personal service businesses, including hair salons, barbers and sites offering manicures, pedicures and other esthetic services, must close.
-Gyms and fitness centres must close.
-Religious and cultural gatherings must close or be provided virtually only.
-Restaurants must close to the public and may be open for delivery, drive-thru or takeout only.
-All recreational activities, sports facilities, casinos, museums, galleries, libraries, movie theatres and concert halls must close.
Fines for breaching the restrictions recently increased to just under $1,300 for individuals.
All schools will remain open.
