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The COVID-19 outbreak has caused more municipalities to make changes to prevent the spread of the virus.
The Municipality of Ste. Rose has been asked to ensure Emergency Management Plans are in place. Council and administration have discussed scenarios around what to do regarding the coronavirus, and how it could affect the functions of the municipality.
They have prioritized the services that they provide to the community.
1. Water and Sewer Service – Must Operate
2. Fire Service – Must Operate
3. Public Works – Must Operate – Possible Modifications
4. Council and Management Staff – Must Operate – Possible Modifications
5. Office Staff – Operate – Possible Modifications
6. Recreation Facilities – Closed Until Further Notice
(Arena, Curling Rink, Community Centre, Burnside Park, etc.)
Services not related to water, sewer, or fire, may be limited at times or temporarily suspended according to the required response.
Elsewhere, the Municipality of McCreary will be making some changes to ensure the safety of their staff, the McCreary Volunteer Fire Department, the staff of the McCreary Recreation Commission and municipal recreation facilities as well as the public.
Effective immediately, the Administration Office for McCreary will be closed to the general public. Any payments needed to be made can be done via cheque or cash and by using the drop-box located just inside the first set of doors at the main entrance at the front of the building from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Monday to Friday, by regular mail or electronically through your financial institution. Communication with municipal staff and the recreation director can occur by email or telephone.
The Public Works Shops will be closed to the general public. The Water and Sewer Utility, Snow Removal in case of a snowstorm and recycling pickup will operate as usual using social distancing practices.
The Waste Disposal Site will operate as usual using social distancing practices.
The McCreary Volunteer Fire Department will be closed to the public. Fire services will operate as usual using social distancing practices and other practices as may be necessary.
The Bulk Water Station will operate as usual with the use of social distancing practices.
The Municipality will review and update this plan as the authorities provide new information and as the situation evolves. The Municipality of McCreary also encourages event organizers, businesses and residents to heed the warnings and follow the directives as best as possible.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
CKDM reached out to Ste. Rose Auction Mart Owner/Operator Myles Masson about the proactive measures being taken.
Masson said the auctions will continue as planned until further notice, but several precautions are in place under the guidance of provincial health authorities.
Any spectators that are not selling livestock will not be allowed into the auction.
People who want to sell their livestock also have the option to do so online on the Ste. Rose Auction Mart website.
“When it comes to stock markets, the live cattle futures have been plummeting for the past week and a half. It’s gone down basically 30-40% on the live cattle board. That reflects the cash market where a lot of cattle buyers really don’t know what to pay for the cattle anymore so they’re quite hesitant and cautious when buying cattle. It goes week by week, day by day.”
The company is taking all other suggested health steps to prevent the spread between coworkers.
For the full announcement from the Ste. Rose Auction Mart, click here.
The Ste.Rose Auction Mart holds regular cattle sales every Thursday. If you have cattle to market, you can call the Ste.Rose Auction Mart at 204-447-2266.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
Premier Brian Pallister has updated the province on the COVID-19 situation.
Additional proactive measures are being taken to reduce the impact which includes suspending services at licensed child-care centres, effective at the end of the day this Friday.
The government is recommending parents with children in these centres make alternate arrangements as soon as possible, even though centres will remain open for the remainder of the week. The government will continue to allow home-based child-care providers to operate and will be creating dedicated child-care options for front-line and essential services staff who need them.
Parents providing front-line health care, or those who are members of fire, police or paramedic services are asked to contact 204-945-0776 or 1-888-213-4754 for help with making child care arrangements.
The province advises that teachers will continue to be on the job, in schools or at home, to create learning plans and continue teaching using the distance learning options available.
All casinos will be closing at midnight tonight.
Public health officials recommend the immediate suspension of visitors in long-term care facilities across Manitoba. Exceptions for compassionate reasons or end of life will be made on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of individual facility managers.
To be consistent with the federal government, it’s been recommended that gatherings of more than 50 people are cancelled.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
This morning Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed the country with the latest update from the federal government.
He announced that as of Wednesday, Parks Canada is suspending visitor services at all national parks and historical sites. However it appears parks will still remain open, but that "anything with a door" will be closed to the public.
Trudeau also revealed details about a Global Affairs emergency loan program of $5,000, in order to get Canadians back home, or to accommodate their financial needs as they wait for their opportunity to return to Canada.
Trudeau also commended the province of Ontario for its move to declare a state of emergency, saying Ontario is taking the right steps to protect its people.
We are also expecting a major announcement tomorrow on economic assistance for those affected by this nation-wide issue.
By the end of the week, we're also expecting accommodations to the upcoming tax season to assist Canadians through this time.
The Prime Minister also discussed a brief return of the house of commons so that emergency economic measures could be passed through the house to provide support for Canadians.
We will bring you those details as they become available.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Face to face classes at all Assiniboine Community College campuses will finish on or before Friday this week.
The majority of programs will be moved to alternative formats and the students will hear directly from their program officials for the next steps in their coursework, as well as practicum placements and co-ops.
Impacted students in a few of the programs will have access to specialized labs if it’s essential to complete the program. The labs will be opened with a specific schedule and operate under safe work practice guidelines and social distancing methods.
The only program to be cancelled is the Industrial Metals Fabrication (Welding) course. Students have the option to defer to the next intake or receive a refund.
Until Friday, campuses will maintain regular hours for staff and students.
The public is encouraged to continue avoiding the campuses and contact the college by phone or email if necessary.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
Pharmacist Barret Procyshyn and the entire team at the Dauphin Clinic Pharmacy have been working extra hard over the past few days.
CKDM spoke with Barret, who wanted to share some advice with Parkland residents who want ensure they have a good supply of their medications.
“It’s been busy, it’s been a little bit stressful. Our phone has been ringing off the hook. There’s just so much information coming out. Everything is changing so rapidly. Our team is really working hard, everyone is putting in 120% to make sure everyone gets the medication they need.”
Barret says there are several things you can do to help everyone in this community get the medication they need.
“There’s two things going on right now. There’s the COVID-19 scare, and then it’s also the end of the Manitoba Pharmacare Program.”
“I can’t stress how important it is to not stockpile your medication. You have to ask yourself if you really need 4 or 5 months worth of medication, or does the person who needs medication tomorrow need it more. I think we’d all agree that the person who needs medications tomorrow, should take priority right now.”
He says the most important thing right now is to order ahead to give the pharmacy time to get the order ready.
“Health Canada and the Canadian Pharmacy Association have come up with some emergency preparedness guidelines. They’re recommending having 2 weeks of medication on hand. So if you’re getting low phone-in and order. We’re also recommending that you use our delivery service & drive-thru window.”
It is very important to remember, all COVID-19 inquiries should first go through Health Links.
If you experience cold- or flu-like symptoms, call Health Links at 204-788-8200 or toll-free at 1-888-315-9257 before you visit an urgent care centre. Health Links will advise you on what to do & where to go.
As part of Pharmacist Awareness Month, Barret Procyshyn will be on the air with Al Gaines every Thursday morning to bring you the most up to date information.
More information about ordering from the Dauphin Clinic Pharmacy can be found here.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
As of right now, there are about 30 facilities on First Nation land that allow smoking inside their VLT lounges.
Brian Pallister is hoping that's not the case in the future. Pallister says "smoking is bad for you" and that you shouldn't be able to do it in lounges.
Pallister has issued mandate letters to each of his cabinet ministers and one of the main points is issued at Crown Services Minister, Jeff Wharton, who is responsible for Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries. Pallister wants Wharton to prohibit smoking in all gaming facilities across the province.
Darnell Duff chatted with Grand Chief Eugene Eastman to get his thoughts on the matter.
"Pallister is going way beyond his reach," said Eastman. "I think his reach has to be minimized or be removed, it's really as simple as that."
Premier Pallister has also said he wants this process to be through consultation rather than legislation.
"This is too much already, he's affecting so many people," concluded Eastman. "People are going to smoke whether they like it or not."
Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries was not available for comment on the matter.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
Dauphin city officials met on Monday to discuss the latest information available around the COVID-19 issue.
City Manager Sharla Griffiths says they worked to identify essential- and non-essential services to ensure the safety of their staff and the public.
City officials also collected more information during a teleconference with Health Minister Cameron Friesen, alongside some other rural municipalities across Manitoba.
Going forward, the following measures will be in place, effective immediately.
- City Hall (100 Main Street South) will be closed to the general public. Payments can be made via cheque or cash using the drop-box by the main/north entrance door, or through peoples’ financial institutions. Communication with staff can occur via email or phone. In-person communication for all other reasons are by appointment only, and only if that person is not at risk of having contracted or is exhibiting COVID-19.
- The City Shop (22 Jackson Street) will be closed to the general public. The utility (water and sewer), as well as snow removal in case of a snowstorm and garbage removal, will operate as usual. The Waste Disposal Site will operate as usual.
- The Fire Hall (121 2nd Street NW) will be closed to the public. Fire services will operate as usual.
The City staff directory can be found here.
At this time, the City Manager has not been made aware of any plans to bring COVID-19 testing centres to Dauphin.
The City will review and update their plan as new information becomes available.
For the latest information on COVID-19, visit the Manitoba government COVID-19 fact sheet at https://www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/.
You can access information from the Federal Government here: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel- coronavirus-infection.html
Before visiting an urgent care centre because of cold- or flu-like symptoms, you must first contact Health Links-Info Santé at 1-204-788-8200 or 1-888-315-9257, who will advise you what to do.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Today the Manitoba government reported 1 additional presumptive case of COVID-19 in the province.
The man is from Winnipeg, and in his 80's.
As it stands, a total of 8 cases have been reported in Manitoba, all of which appear to be travel related.
For the most comprehensive and up-to-date information from the Manitoba government, visit www.manitoba.ca/covid19/.
Going forward, officials are strongly advising all Manitobans to cancel or postpone any non-essential international travel.
Public health officials are also advising all international travellers to self-isolate and self-monitor symptoms for 14 days after returning to Canada. If returned travellers begin to show cold- of flu-like symptoms, they should call Health Links for guidance on what to do next.
It is very important to remember, if you experience cold- or flu-like symptoms, you must call Health Links at 204-788-8200 or toll-free at 1-888-315-9257 before you visit an urgent care centre. Health Links will advise you on what to do & where to go.
We're also learning there have been reports of multiple phone-call scams related to COVID-19. Many are asking people for credit card information to provide medication following positive test results.
This is not a call that Manitobans would receive from public health officials. You are advised to avoid providing any financial data over the phone, and to hang up and report the call to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.
Chief nursing officer for Shared Health, Lanette Siragusa, says work has begun on an online assessment tool to help ease the high volume of people visiting Manitoba’s designated testing sites.
Siragusa says there will be additional testing sites coming to rural Manitoba, to be announced early this week.
The province will be suspending classes in Manitoba (kindergarten to Grade 12) effective March 23 to April 10. Dr. Brent Roussin says the move is out of an abundance of caution, to help us get ahead of the virus before it can spread in our community.
For a full list of preventative measures, and all other official information from the Manitoba government, click here. www.manitoba.ca/covid19/.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Manitoba Teachers’ Society president James Bedford is calling on the province to close schools no later than this Wednesday.
Manitoba’s Minister of Education made the announcement last week that all K-12 schools in the province will be suspended next Monday until April 13th.
However, the head of the Manitoba Teachers' Society which represents 16,000 public school teachers, wants schools closed as soon as possible.
In a letter addressed to Manitoba’s Education Minister, Bedford raised his concerns about the week-long wait.
As it stands right now, all Manitoba schools will be suspended effective March 23rd.
Chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin is assuring the schools are safe, and that the move to suspend classes is being made out of an abundance of caution to slow the spread of COVID-19.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Manitoba Public Insurance is cancelling all vision and knowledge tests, starting today.
MPI says this is in response to Manitoba’s social distancing guidelines.
The Corporation has also announced the following:
· Enhanced ID interviews will be cancelled until further notice.
· Out of health concerns, MPI front-counter staff will not serve people who have returned from international travel and have not self-isolated for the recommended 14 days.
Customers with scheduled appointments are being contacted by staff to notify them of the cancellation.
Once tests resume, you can re-schedule appointments over the phone, online, or in-person
This follows last week's announcement that all scheduled road tests have been put on hold for the foreseeable future.
You can also check out MPI’s website for several online services, including making payments for most driver’s licence charges, policy fees, registrations, premiums and overdue amounts.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
