The most restrictive lockdown measures since the start of the pandemic go into effect across the province today — elevating all regions of Manitoba to Critical red on the Pandemic Response System.
The public health order signed by Dr. Brent Roussin states Manitoba will be facing red level restrictions for a minimum of four weeks, or two incubation periods.
Manitobans don’t need a law to do what is right - restrict your social interactions to your household. Not because you’ll be fined, but because it’s the right thing to do to fight #Covid19MB https://t.co/hojK3mRaqE
— Dr. Brent Roussin (@roussin_brent) November 12, 2020
What’s Going To Remain Open To The Public
Retail businesses deemed critical may remain open to the public at 25% capacity, which may include:
- Grocery, convenience stores, butcher shops, and bakeries
- Gas Stations
- Banks and financial services
- Liquor and cannabis stores
- Hardware stores, businesses that provide PPE
- Dentistry, massage therapy, and physiotherapy
- Transportation services
- Construction
- Agriculture and food production services
Click here for the full list of businesses allowed to remain open.
Schools and childcare centres will remain open with Orange level restrictions; a move the province defended saying these sites are safe and the level of transmission there has been minimal across Manitoba.
Non-essential Businesses Must Close Doors
Businesses like restaurants, bars, beverage rooms, brewpubs, microbreweries, distilleries, barbers, nail salons, casinos, theatres and concert halls will have to close their doors to the public.
Restaurants can still remain open for pickup and delivery; the same goes for non-essential retail shops.
The province announced a new financial support for businesses affected by the lockdown. The Manitoba Bridge Grant will provide an immediate one-time payment of $5,000 to small and medium-sized businesses, not-for-profit and charitable organizations that were directly ordered to temporarily cease operations by Manitoba’s public-health orders.
Religious Gatherings, Sports, Gyms, Fitness Centres
All religious services must close or be provided virtually.
All gyms, fitness centres, recreational facilities, as well as indoor and outdoor sports facilities will be closed in code red.
Why Is Prairie Mountain Health Being Moved To Red?
When asked why Prairie Mountain Health is also being elevated to red -- despite lower case numbers compared to the rest of the province -- Dr. Roussin cited the rising test positivity rate in all of Manitoba's health regions. Roussin also said the number of contacts per case is trending in the wrong direction.
