Some travel restrictions to the province’s north go into effect as of Friday, September 4, in order to protect Manitoba’s remote communities from the spread of COVID-19.
Chief public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin explains the recent increase in cases in southern parts of Manitoba are the reason for the travel restrictions being re-implemented at this time.
Roussin listed a number of exemptions from the travel order, which include:
- People who live or are moving to northern Manitoba
- People who work for federal or provincial agencies
- Health providers travelling to provide healthcare or emergency medical purposes
- Educational professionals, including students travelling to attend school
- People who own, or work for a business, travelling to deliver goods or operate a business
- Travel for trials & judicial proceedings
- Travel for parenting arrangements
The province’s top doctor says people can travel to and from a cottage, cabin, provincial park, or hunting & fishing lodge — as long as they have no symptoms of COVID-19 — but they must limit their use of local services while travelling and staying at their final destination.
Roussin says travellers must go to their destination as directly as possible, and wear masks if travelling on a bus, train, or plane.
He also clarified that travel to Churchill and the surrounding area is permitted under the renewed northern travel ban — as long as they have no symptoms of COVID-19.
Dr. Roussin also asked Manitobans to respect any travel restrictions that First Nation communities may have in place.
In other travel-related news, Saskatchewan premier Scott Moe is now strongly recommending residents to avoid travelling to Alberta, and Manitoba.
