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Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister declared aprovince-wide state of emergency this morning.
It will be in effect for 30 days. Towards the end of that period, it will be determined if that timeframe needs to be extended.
That means the government will have greater authority to take actions that reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Pallister says the decision was not made lightly.
“We must continue to use every tool available to ‘flatten the curve and reduce the spread of COVID-19 on our communities and our health-care system.”
Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin says that effective 4 pm today, and for the next 30 days, gatherings cannot be more than 50 people including faith-based gatherings, weddings, and funerals. This doesn't apply to health care facilities.
Food stores, grocery stores, shopping centres, gas stations, and pharmacies remain open but must ensure a separation of 2 metres between patrons.
Restaurants and bars can have a maximum of half-capacity, or 50 people, whichever is lower.
Pallister says he has not heard any reports of Manitoba businesses disobeying the directions of the provincial health authority.
Dr. Roussin has ordered the immediate closure of gyms, fitness centres and bingo halls.
“With this declaration, the biggest roles for all Manitobans to play right now, is to protect yourself, your family, your friends and your community. I cannot emphasize this enough – this is the time for action. We must change our day-to-day lives, and think about your role in protecting ourselves and all Manitobans.”
The Families Minister Heather Stefanson also announced a $27.6 million investment to help provide child care to essential front-line workers as they support the province’s COVID-19 response.
At this time the number of COVID-19 cases in Manitoba remains at 17.
Any person concerned about their exposure to or risk of having COVID-19 should call Health Links–Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or toll-free at 1-888-315-9257 before arriving at a testing site.
For more information and to access the online screening tool for COVID-19, visit www.manitoba.ca/coivd19.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
A Brandon Police investigation into a shooting that happened on February 26th led police to separate incidents involving some of the same individuals.
The first incident occurred several days before the shooting. Two male suspects broke into an apartment, on the 300 block of 6th street, and confronted the homeowner and several guests with a knife and handgun. The female homeowner knew the suspects, who forced her to leave with them, threatening to harm everyone else present if she didn’t comply. The suspects took the victim to another residence where they assaulted her and threatened to shoot her if she tried to leave. She was able to leave the residence the next morning.
In the early morning hours of February 26th, one of the same suspects, a 25-year-old male, returned to the apartment with a taser. The suspect once again threatened the homeowner that if she didn’t leave, he would harm her and the others in the residence. She left with the suspect but was able to break free and run away. After the escape, the 25-year-old male returned to the residence with three different male suspects. They broke into a separate apartment in the same building of the 300 block of 6th street. The suspects were all armed, one had a sawed-off shotgun, another had a machete, the third was wearing a ski mask and had a taser, and the final suspect was armed with a baton. A struggle ensued and one of the two male victims was shot before he was able to escape. Following the shooting, the suspects fled the apartment.
On March 4th, the same female victim was at another residence in Brandon with friends. The same 25-year-old suspect along with another male suspect entered the residence, carrying handguns. The suspects threatened everyone present and again forced the victim to leave. She was taken to a rural residence and the next day brought back to Brandon to another residence before finally being allowed to leave.
On March 15th, police arrested the 25-year-old male suspect and another male suspect. Upon their arrest, police located a loaded CO2 handgun. The two men have been held in custody at the Brandon Correctional Centre since the arrest and have appeared in court on several charges.
Police obtained three separate search warrants on March 18th, 1000 block of 10th street, a residence in the 600 block of 16th street, and a rural residence. Three individuals were arrested as a result of the searches.
In total, police seized cash, four rifles, one loaded shotgun, about 100 rounds of various ammo, 0.6kg of cocaine, 2kg of benzocaine, two air rifles, one CO2 handgun, and bear mace.
The 5 men arrested face the following charges.
The 25-year-old male who was involved in each incident has been charged with 29 counts, which include a variety of weapons and firearms-related offences, in addition, to break and enter and commit, discharge a firearm to endanger life, forcible confinement, and assault cause bodily harm.
A 21-year-old male suspect has been charged with 13 counts, which include a variety of weapons and firearm-related offences in addition to Break and Enter and Commit.
A 26-year-old male suspect has been charged with 14 counts, which include a variety of weapons and firearm-related offences, in addition, to break and enter and commit.
A 22-year-old male suspect has been charged with 14 counts, which include a variety of weapons and firearm-related offences, in addition, to break and enter and commit, possession for trafficking cocaine, and possession of property obtained by crime.
A 40-year-old male has been charged with 12 counts, which include a variety of weapons and firearm-related offences, and forcible confinement.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
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.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
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.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
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.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
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.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
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.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
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."
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
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.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
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.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
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.”
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
