Manitoba has relaxed more public health restrictions as of 12:01 a.m. this morning.
Nearly all Manitoba businesses are now clear to open — but indoor theatres, concert halls, casinos and bingo halls will still have to remain closed for now.
Under the new orders, Manitoba households have the option of continuing to designate two visitors to their home, or choosing to designate a second household who can visit with each other.
Starting today, capacity limits are being increased at restaurants, retail stores, malls and personal services to 50% or 250 people, whichever is lower. Restaurants in Manitoba must continue enforcing the one-household per table rule under the updated orders.
Places of worship can increase their capacity limit to 25% or 100 people, whichever is lower.
Gatherings sizes at outdoor places will be increased to 10.
Businesses other than casinos may resume operating video lottery terminals (VLTs) with physical distancing and barriers in place.
Recreation & Fitness Facilities
The province is also relaxing some of the rules for recreation and fitness facilities.
Indoor recreation and sporting facilities such as pools, fitness centres, rinks, courts and ranges can open at 25% total capacity.
But with the relaxed restrictions, not all recreation facilities in the province are ready to open right away. Dauphin Rec Services say they’re working on a plan to reschedule postponed fall swimming lessons as they slowly re-open the Kinsmen Aquatic Centre.
Dauphin Rec is keeping the ice in at Credit Union Place. Provincial rules currently allow teams to run practices and drills, but organized games are not allowed at this time.
Ice sessions are open for booking but the number of available slots is limited.
The Town of Swan River reported yesterday that opening their recreation facilities “is not practical at this time” with the strenuous reopening requirements and extra costs associated with the new provincial guidelines.
The Town’s CAO Derek Poole thanked residents for their patience and understanding as they begin working through the process of making facilities available to the public.
The entire province remains under code red under the new public health orders.
