Travel Restrictions To Manitoba's North Reintroduced

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.

Details: Contributed by Matt Hamel; Published: Sep 3, 2020 - 5:51 pm

Manitobans can enjoy free provincial park access the Labour Day long weekend.

From Saturday, September 4^th to Monday, September 7^th, visitor access will be free of charge and park vehicle permits will not be needed.

People are advised to use the provided hand sanitizer and social distance while visiting the parks.

While a travel restriction to areas of northern Manitoba takes effect tomorrow, there are exceptions for travelling directly to a campground or lodge. If you are travelling to the north, officials advise you to limit any stops to just the necessities outside of your camping destination.

All camping fees still apply.

Details: Contributed by Tess Kovach; Published: Sep 3, 2020 - 4:07 pm

The school year starts up next week after the Labour Day long weekend.

This won’t be a normal year, from mask mandates to extra cleaning protocols, and social distancing when possible, COVID has made things tough.

In this article, we’ll take a look at what you need to know heading into the school year in regards to wearing masks.

Where are masks required?

Masks are mandatory in schools for students in Grades 4 to 12, as well as for staff and visitors when physical distancing of two metres isn’t possible.

The province has also made masks mandatory for everyone on school buses.

In the situation of a grade 3/4 split class, all students in the class should wear masks.

Masks are optional for students in grades 3 and under and will be left up to the parents/guardians/caregivers to decide whether their child will wear a mask.

How many masks should my kid have?

School divisions have been provided with masks from the provincial government to supply staff and students that need masks. Despite school divisions having masks, it’s recommended that students have their own masks. It’s advised that a student has multiple masks so they can change masks in the middle of the day. Masks should also be changed when they become damp or soiled.

If the student doesn’t have a mask, it’ll be provided to them upon arrival at school or when entering a school bus.

What are the best mask hygiene practices?

Wearing a mask properly is critical to having the benefits. When masks are not worn properly, they will not prevent the spread of COVID-19 to others and may also put the person wearing them at greater risk of infection.

Before putting on or taking off a mask wash your hands.

When taking off a mask, it’s advised that you place the used mask in a clearly labelled container or bag for cleaning at a later time. If it is a disposable mask, it should go directly into the garbage.

Don’t touch your mask or face while wearing masks

Don’t share masks with others.

Don’t dangle the mask from one ear, or pull it below your nose or mouth so it’s only covering your chin.

Change masks as soon as they become damp or soiled.

Reusable masks must be washed after each use in the laundry machine’s hot water cycle and then thoroughly dried.

Why should masks be worn?

Wearing a non-medical mask is a tool that, in addition to practising public health fundamentals, may help prevent spreading COVID-19 to others, especially in indoor public spaces such as schools, if physical distancing cannot be maintained.

Wearing a nonmedical mask does not protect the person wearing the mask, but it may help to protect the people around them.

People release respiratory droplets by sneezing, coughing, spitting, heavy breathing, singing, or talking. COVID-19 spreads mainly through close contact (within two metres or six feet) with an infected person’s respiratory droplets.

When worn properly, a person wearing a mask at school or on school buses may reduce the chance of their own respiratory droplets spreading to others or landing on surfaces.

People may also get COVID-19 by touching a surface that has been contaminated by the virus and then touching their mouth, eyes, or nose.

For more information on mask-wearing in schools in Manitoba, click here.

Details: Contributed by Isaac Wihak; Published: Sep 3, 2020 - 2:02 pm

Public Health officials have announced 2 more deaths in the province, along with 20 new cases of COVID-19 today.

Both of today’s deaths are linked to an outbreak at the Bethesda Place care home in Steinbach. The number of deaths in the province is now at 16. Manitoba now has 1,264 cases; 457 are active and 791 are recovered.

Six of today’s cases are in the Prairie Mountain Health region; none are in the Dauphin health district.

Chief public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin says a fine was issued this week to someone in the Prairie Mountain Health region for not following a self-isolation requirement.

“This is a reminder that if public health informs you of the requirement to self-isolate, you are required to do so.”

The Winnipeg and Brandon health districts are tied for the highest active case count — each with 164 cases considered active.

Officials are advising of a possible exposure to COVID-19 in Brandon on August 19th to 21st at the ABC Taxi Cabs and Limousine Service.

Travel restrictions to Manitoba’s northern communities will go into effect Friday, September 4th. There are exceptions for travelling directly to a campground or lodge. If you are travelling to the north, you are required to limit any stops to just the necessities outside of your camping or lodge destination.

While there are no restrictions in place at this time, Saskatchewan residents are being strongly recommended by their Premier to avoid travelling to Alberta and Manitoba.

For more information about COVID-19 in the province, click here.

Details: Contributed by Tess Kovach; Published: Sep 3, 2020 - 1:28 pm

Some Canadians are saying their Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) payment has been delayed this week.

The CERB is typically received via direct deposit within 48 hours of reapplying for the benefit.

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) says the actual timeframe for payment is within three to five business days — and a spokesperson says that the vast majority of payments will be issued in that timeframe.

It’s also being reported the CRA has added some new due diligence measures to make sure the payments are reaching the correct bank accounts.

Details: Contributed by Matt Hamel; Published: Sep 3, 2020 - 10:54 am

Last night the Mountain View School Division held a town hall so parents, students, and the public could ask any questions they might have about the school year, which starts next week on Tuesday.

The Zoom meeting started with Superintendent Dan Ward giving a short presentation on the school reopening plans before questions were asked live and by submission.

Ward answered questions about masks, protocol if a student gets COVID-19, when a child should stay home, the start-up of school, and much more.

The town hall will be available on the MVSD website later on for those who missed out on it last night.

Details: Contributed by Isaac Wihak; Published: Sep 3, 2020 - 8:37 am

An online survey polled 1049 adults between August 19^th and 29^th and found most Manitobans would support government rules requiring masks in all indoor public spaces.

According to the survey, conducted by Probe Research, 61 per cent strongly support mandatory masks at 23 per cent somewhat support masks, while 6 per cent somewhat oppose masks and 9 per cent strongly oppose it.

No margin of error can be assigned to the survey because it was conducted online.

Details: Contributed by Isaac Wihak; Published: Sep 3, 2020 - 8:33 am

A high wind warning has been issued for the south shoreline of Lake Manitoba and Lake Winnipeg.

The advisory was issued Wednesday and lasts until midnight on Thursday.

Winds reaching 80km/h are expected for the south basin of Lake Manitoba, shorelines near Gimli on the west side, and Victoria Beach on the east side of Lake Winnipeg.

This could raise wave levels by 5 feet or more. Property owners are advised to take precautions.

Details: Contributed by Tess Kovach; Published: Sep 2, 2020 - 3:35 pm

Today the province posted some new information materials online for parents, students, and teachers.

Education Minister Kelvin Goertzen says the province wanted to address some frequently asked questions, to help make the return to schools next week as COVID-19 safe as possible.

“We certainly see that there is that anxiousness. To the best of our ability, in terms of providing in advance, we hope that will alleviate some of that anxiousness.”

The materials are posted online, and printed versions will be available for distribution. Information will be updated as required throughout the school year.

When asked about remote-learning options, Goertzen said it’s only available to immunocompromised students, or students who have other health issues.

“First of all, the best place to learn for a child is in the classroom. That is repeated by all of the different experts — we saw the impact of not having children in classroom in March … and when you’re guided by public health, and the best medical advice and experts in Manitoba say that this is a safe way to return students to school, then you want to return them to school.”

The province has also changed its mask policy on school buses, now requiring students of all ages to wear a mask on the school bus this year.

For a link to the new online resources posted by education officials today, click here.

Details: Contributed by Matt Hamel; Published: Sep 2, 2020 - 1:35 pm

Thirteen new cases of COVID-19 have been announced today, taking the provincial total up to 1,244.

Of today’s cases, 8 are in the Prairie Mountain Health region, with no new cases in the Dauphin health district.

Officials are advising of two potential exposures to the virus - one at the Canoe Taphouse in Wasagaming on August 21^st to 23^rd, and the other at the Buffalo Bar and Ten restaurant at the Elkhorn Resort Spa and Conference Centre in Onanole on August 21^st to 22^nd.

Manitoba has 454 active cases, and 776 people have recovered.

The number of deaths in the province remains at 14.

Manitobans are encouraged to stick to the fundamentals to stop the spread of COVID-19 which include physical distancing, wearing a mask, covering your cough, washing your hands, and staying home if you’re sick.

For more information on COVID-19 in Manitoba, click here.