MPI Offers Over The Phone Services

Many services are seeing changes, and now Manitoba Public Insurance is allowing transactions to be done by phone, or directly with MPI’s Contact Centre.

The following services will be available:

∙ New registration and policy application

∙ Renewal of an expiring/expired driver’s license

∙ Reapplication of a lapsed driver's license

∙ Manual reassessment of an active or lapsed driver's license

∙ Driver's license replacement

∙ Basic ID card replacement (with no information changes)

∙ Vehicle insurance coverage renewal, reassessment, reactivation, reapplication

∙ Transfer of policy

∙ Payment

Customers are encouraged to call their Autopac agent or MPI`s Contact Center at 204-985-7000 or 1-800-665-2310.

Details: Contributed by Tess Kovach; Published: Mar 20, 2020 - 10:56 am

Provincial health authorities are announcing more changes to their visitor policies.

Effective immediately, acute care facilities in Manitoba, including acute mental health facilities, will be suspending all visitor access.

Some exceptions will be made for compassionate reasons for end of life.

Certain areas will allow one visitor, at the discretion of managers:

Maternity
Neonatal ICU
Pediatrics
Emergency Departments
Cancer Care Programs

Otherwise, for pediatric patients, including the Child and Adolescent Treatment Centre, one parent or guardian may visit at a time.

You are reminded to avoid visiting any health care facilities if you have:

Returned from international travel in the last 14 days
Had close contact with someone with a confirmed COVID-19 case
Had close contact with someone being tested for COVID-19 at this time
Been instructed to self-isolate or self-monitor for 14 days
Cold or flu-like symptoms (cough, runny nose, sore throat, weakness or headache).

The suspension of visitors to Personal Care Homes across the province remains in effect (with exceptions for compassionate reasons).

Remember, wash your hands often and stay informed of all the latest COVID-19 updates and recommended precautions at https://www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/index.html.

Details: Contributed by Matt Hamel; Published: Mar 19, 2020 - 4:51 pm

The province was finally able to introduce the budget today, more than a week later than originally planned.

Finance Minister Scott Fielding also revealed there will be another document to outline how Manitoba can handle the economic challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The minister noted the province has nearly $1 billion of financial flexibility to address the issue.

The province's rainy-day fund will also see another $300 million added.

The new budget also includes a $6.8 billion investment in health care, with $1.3 billion in operating grants to public school divisions.

The province’s “made-in-Manitoba” Green Levy takes effect July 1st at a flat $25 per tonne. Unlike the federal carbon tax, the Green Levy will not increase each year.

To view the budget in its entirety, you can visit www.manitoba.ca/budget2020.

Details: Contributed by Matt Hamel; Published: Mar 19, 2020 - 4:19 pm

Parkland Residential & Vocational Services Inc. (PRVSI) will be making some changes to their programming.

This is in response to the provincial government announcing services for adults with intellectual disabilities should be scaled back in order to support social distancing measures.

PRVSI Executive Director Darrin Clinton says he was informed late last night that the government was recommending some changes.

“We are probably going to end up closing our day program today, so we can give support to residents in their homes. We’re going to have to figure out what we can so participants can get out and have someplace to get out for a while.”

Clinton is calling on past employees to reach out if they can help out during this time.

In an official release, the Manitoba government recommended day services only still be offered to individuals who:

•   live with family members who could lose their job if day services are not provided,
•   are supported by home share providers who can’t provide care during daytime hours and where other arrangements are not possible, and
•   cannot be safely supported in their residence during daytime hours.

Details: Contributed by Matt Hamel; Published: Mar 19, 2020 - 1:30 pm

The Dauphin Co-op is making some changes to limit the spread of COVID-19.

They are requesting only one family member to enter the store at a time, in an effort to practice social distancing.

They are recommending shoppers stay six feet from each other in checkout lines.

They also encourage people to avoid entering the store if they are sick, or showing symptoms of COVID-19.

Details: Contributed by Tess Kovach; Published: Mar 19, 2020 - 12:15 pm

Health Minister Cameron Friesen and Dr. Brent Roussin have given their daily COVID-19 update.

There are 9 community screening sites for COVID-19. Four are in Winnipeg, sites are also in Brandon, Selkirk, Thompson, Flin Flon, and The Pas. There will be drive-thru sites in Winnipeg and Steinbach opening in the coming days.

The Health Minister says there will also be additional rural sites being rolled out in the coming days.

Roussin reminds Manitobans that this is a time for social distancing.

“This is not the time to go out in large groups, in crowded spaces, such as bars, restaurants, and large house parties. This is a broad recommendation, but this is keeping with our social distancing strategies to really impact the spread of the virus in our communities. This includes not attending gatherings outside your homes including faith-based gatherings.”

There are no new cases today, the number remains at 17.

Friesen understands these increasing numbers can cause anxiety, but to remember that the rise in cases is inevitable and the health-care system is at the "highest state of readiness."

Details: Contributed by Isaac Wihak; Published: Mar 19, 2020 - 12:03 pm

Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) is following provincial guidelines with new visitor restrictions at their long-term and acute-care facilities.

CEO of Prairie Mountain Health, Penny Gilson, says the visitor restriction policies have been well-received by families with loved ones under the care of PMH.

“In terms of visitor restrictions, and it could change, we are suspending visitors in our long-term care facilities. Unless for compassionate reasons, and that would be determined on a case-by-case basis. In our acute care facilities, we are limiting visitors to one visitor per patient."

"We also have staff screening visitors at all of our facilities to ensure they are not high-risk visitors, for example, those who’ve travelled internationally in the last 14 days.”

It’s important to follow the visitor restrictions, as some in PMH care have a high risk of developing severe complications from COVID-19 (anyone over 65, those with underlying medical conditions, those with compromised immune systems).

Gilson says we must continue to be patient and cooperative to help “flatten the curve” of COVID-19 spreading in our province.

“It’s an unprecedented public health event right now. I have to say, all of our staff and physicians are coming to the table to help in any way they can."

"We are also asking that employers re-evaluate their policies around sick-notes. Right now we don’t need the added burden on the healthcare system of people trying the get sick notes.”

Prairie Mountain Health facilities, staff and providers are taking all the necessary precautions to reduce the spread of the virus.

The Prairie Mountain Health CEO is reminding us all to trust reliable information, which can be found at the Prairie Mountain Health website, and at the official Manitoba COVID-19 fact sheet.

Details: Contributed by Matt Hamel; Published: Mar 19, 2020 - 11:03 am

Different places around Dauphin have been closing their doors due to the growing concern of COVID-19. However, the Dauphin Food Bank will be pretty much business as usual with some precautions in place.

If you're in need of some meals, today is your next chance. From 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Parkland Crossing there will be an intake that is open to those that need some help.

"It's going to be a little bit different. When we open the doors, we're only allowing three people in at a time," said Robin Gambler, Chair of the Dauphin Food Bank. "We're not doing our computer part; we're just going to mark down their name and birthdates. We'll give people their food and they'll walk out the next door."

Gambler is encouraging people not to bring your entire family. They want people in and out as quickly as possible.

Recently on Facebook, there was a post that was urging people to donate to the Food Bank. Gambler saw that post and was thrilled that there are people that support what the DFB does and she notes that you can donate anything non-perishable. That includes soup, crackers, spaghetti noodles, sauce, and much more.

"It would be nice if everyone could even give just a can. I know after today, our shelves will be pretty much empty," continued Gambler. "I'm really hoping that we can get some donations in."

If you'd like to donate, you can take your items to the Dauphin Friendship Centre from 1 until 3 p.m. today. You can also take them any time to Parkland Crossing. The next intake will take place on April 2.

Details: Contributed by Darnell Duff; Published: Mar 19, 2020 - 10:53 am

The Manitoba RCMP will be making some slight adjustments while interacting with the public during the COVID-19 issue.

Officers will continue to patrol communities, respond to calls, and investigate criminal activity across the province.

However, the RCMP asks that if your matter isn’t urgent, to avoid going to the detachment.

If you need to speak with an officer or want to file a criminal report, they ask that you call ahead and make arrangements.

The officer may be able to take your report over the phone or may direct you to meet at an alternate location.

In a press release, the RCMP says there will be more questions when calling 911.

“When you call, you will be asked additional questions concerning your health. This is to ensure that officers can take appropriate safety precautions. When our officers respond, you may see them wearing personal protective equipment such as a face mask. This is for your safety and that of our police officers. Every single one of our officers remains committed to your security during these difficult times. However, to truly get through this, we will all need to work together. Be kind to one and other, take care of those around you, and do everything you personally can to adhere to the recommendations of public health officials.”

Details: Contributed by Isaac Wihak; Published: Mar 19, 2020 - 10:34 am

The provincial government was planning to release their education reform proposals at the end of the month, but will now wait until at least summer 2021 to release the report.

The review was to look at administration, ways to improve literacy and test scores, and Education Minister Kelvin Goertzen hinted it could lead to fewer school divisions.

Leifa Misko, the chairperson of the Mountain View School Division board of trustees, says the government wouldn’t tell them if there’d be school division changes.

“We are hopeful there will not be major changes to the school division.”

Misko says the division hasn’t prepared for a possible change in school divisions.

“We do believe, to amalgamate, you should be talking to the communities and receive the communities’ input, and ultimately, it should be up to the communities and the area that will be affected if they amalgamate or not.”

The report is being delayed due to the coronavirus and schools being closed. Goertzen says he needs teachers and education staff to focus on students’ needs while classes are suspended.