On Sunday, June 21st, Manitoba takes another step forward on the path to recovery with Phase Three of reopening.
That means the province is relaxing some public health orders, and allowing some businesses to operate with fewer restrictions.
Here’s a quick summary of some changes we’ll see in Phase Three:
Public Gatherings
Manitobans can now gather in groups of up to 50 people indoors, and 100 people outdoors — as long as two metres of separation can be maintained (except for brief exchanges).
Even larger gatherings — such weddings, funerals, and church service — are allowed at 30% of a site’s usual capacity, as long as people can be separated into sub-groups of 50 people, that are able to arrive and depart without co-mingling.
Interprovincial Travel
Anyone entering Manitoba from Western Canada, the territories, or Northwestern Ontario (west of Terrace Bay) no longer has to self-isolate for 14 days on arrival.
Child Care & Day Camps
Child care centres are now allowed to return to their regular licensed capacity, as long as measures are taken to comply with public health guidelines.
Day camps can continue to operate, with a maximum capacity of 50 children per group. Camps are encouraged to design activities that allow children and staff to maintain a distance of two metres, except for brief exchanges.
Overnight camping is still not allowed in Phase Three.
K-12 Schools
Regular classroom learning remains suspended for the remainder of this school year. Manitoba Education is developing a reopening strategy, and will work with school divisions on detailed plans.
The province says parents and students will have an opportunity to offer feedback and to inform the back-to-school strategy.
Restaurants, Bars & Retail
Occupancy limits of 50% have now been removed for restaurants and retail businesses. The province will now allow these businesses to fully operate, as long as they take measures to ensure customers maintain two metres of seperation, except for brief exchanges.
Bingo Halls, VLT Lounges
Indoor recreation sites, such as bingo halls, billiard rooms, and VLT lounges are allowed to reopen in Phase Three, but must limit occupancy to 50% of normal business levels.
What’s Been Left Out?
Casinos in Manitoba will not be allowed to reopen in Phase Three.
Movie theatres and live theatre venues must also remain closed in Phase Three, but are being encouraged to provide plans on how they can ensure proper physical distancing, to be considered in future phases of reopening.
Going forward, the province is monitoring COVID-19 case numbers, and progressing to new phases of reopening every 3 to 4 weeks.
To read more about the changes coming into effect with Phase Three, click here.
