The Manitoba Government is recommending everyone stay home to avoid the spread of COVID-19.
Some businesses in Dauphin though, remain open and are inviting people to gather despite recommendations not to.
CKDM spoke to Mayor Allen Dowhan to ask him if he’s comfortable with businesses still encouraging people to gather.
“I hope they’re following the provincial guidelines. Gatherings have been reduced to 50 and just to be on the safe side, I hope they comply with these guidelines.”
Dowhan says the City doesn’t have the authority to close businesses if they don’t follow the guidelines.
“We can’t do that, it’s not in our power. It’s provincial power.”
The provincial health officer has the power to close establishments that don’t follow the guidelines.
Chief Provincial Public Health Officer, Dr Brent Roussin, says the province continues to make strong recommendations to get the message out to people.
“You always hear me talk about peoples’ roles, so that business will have a role to protect Manitobans, but then other Manitobans need to ensure they’re protecting themselves too and ensure they’re social distancing. So, at first, we don’t usually move to these coercive measures, but our legislation does allow us to move to that if we think that the risk to the public is being compromised.”
