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The anti-lockdown rally planned in Dauphin for Sunday afternoon has been cancelled by organizers.

The update was announced in an email sent late Saturday afternoon, with organizers cancelling the Dauphin Freedom Rally “until further notice”.

The group organizing the rally — who say they’re comprised of 6 members — planned on welcoming community members to gather at the Dauphin City Hall parking lot from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. to “bring attention to the unfair lockdowns and support businesses facing hardships.”

Current public health orders in the province of Manitoba prohibit any indoor or outdoor gathering larger than five.

Officials with the City of Dauphin released a statement Friday evening clarifying they did not authorize the use of City property for any organized events this weekend, stating "any gathering greater than five people is a contravention of the current Provincial Public Health Orders," and urged residents to follow all Health Orders to ensure public safety. 

In light of the cancellation, rally organizers also stated “we, as a group were never expecting to be at odds nor confrontational with our law enforcement. We acknowledge their instruction and understand the predicament it places them in with fellow Dauphinites.”

Going forward, the group says they will try approaching city council in support of the business community.

The announcement of the rally drew strong criticism on social media, prompting rally organizers to release the following statement:

“We will take this opportunity and respond to some of the comments made to our families and friends. It saddens a person to read the ugliness in people and how wishing covid on our families or some should lose their jobs all because we just wanted to support our local businesses is shameful behaviour. We don't know where the friendliness in Dauphin went but it sure wasn't here today in support of fellow Dauphinites businesses.”

Details

Contributed by Matt Hamel

Published: Dec 13, 2020 - 6:08 am

Health officials announced another 18 deaths and 360 new cases of COVID-19 in Manitoba today.

The full list of the most recent deaths in Manitoba can be found at the bottom of this article.

Today’s COVID-19 data shows:

• 56 cases in the Interlake–Eastern health region;
• 52 cases in the Northern health region;
• 26 cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region;
• 28 cases in the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region; and
• 198 cases in the Winnipeg health region.

According to the province’s data, there are active cases in the following Parkland health districts: Dauphin (4), Riding Mountain (10), Swan River (1), Porcupine Mountain (39, up from 29), Duck Mountain (19), Asessippi (4), Little Saskatchewan (5), Whitemud (1), Agassiz Mountain (1). Brandon has 125 active cases.

In the Interlake, the Eriksdale/Ashern health district has 28 active cases. Fisher/Peguis has 38

The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 13.9 percent provincially and 13.2 percent in Winnipeg.

Manitoba has a total of 20,750 cases. Of those cases, 5,630 are active cases and 14,637 have recovered.

There are 289 people in hospital with 42 people in intensive care. The number of deaths is 483. 

Public health officials advise 18 additional deaths in people with COVID-19 have been reported today including: 

• a male in his 40s from the Winnipeg health region
• a female in her 60s from the Winnipeg health region
• a female in her 60s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at Park Manor Care Home
• a male in his 60s from the Winnipeg health region
• a male in his 60s from the Winnipeg health region
• a male in his 60s from the Interlake–Eastern health region
• a female in her 70s from the Winnipeg health region
• a female in her 70s from the Winnipeg health region
• a male in his 70s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at Oakview Place Personal Care Home
• a female in her 80s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at Charleswood Care Centre
• a male in his 80s from the Winnipeg health region; 
• a male in his 80s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at Charleswood Care Centre
• a male in his 80s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at Charleswood Care Centre
• a male in his 80s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at Oakview Place Personal Care Home
• a male in his 80s from the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region
• a male in his 80s from the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region, linked to the outbreak at Bethesda Regional Health Centre
• a female in her 90s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at Park Manor Care Home and
• a female in her 90s from the Winnipeg health region linked to the outbreak at Park Manor Care Home

Details

Contributed by Tess Kovach

Published: Dec 12, 2020 - 1:06 pm

Manitoba health care workers can now make appointments for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Eligible health care workers can book an appointment to be immunized at a clinic starting Wednesday, December 16^th.

In order to be eligible for the vaccine, health care workers must have direct contact with patients and meet the following criteria:

• work in critical care units, born on or before Dec. 31, 1970;
• work in acute care facilities, born on or before Dec. 31, 1960;
• work in long term care facilities, born on or before Dec. 31, 1960; or
• be assigned to COVID-19 immunization clinics.

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was approved by Health Canada earlier this week, and Manitoba is set to get an initial 1,950 doses, enough to immunize about 900 people (with 2 doses each).

More information about additional clinics will be provided as soon as possible and will be based on deliveries of vaccine to the province.  

Details

Contributed by Tess Kovach

Published: Dec 12, 2020 - 12:53 pm

The Canada-U.S. border closure has been extended for another 30 days.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the border will remain closed until at least January 21^st.

The border has been closed since March, and is open to essential travel only including the trucking industry and health care workers in border communities.

Details

Contributed by Tess Kovach

Published: Dec 11, 2020 - 6:04 pm

A man from Waywayseecappo First Nation is facing assault charges after an incident early this week.

On Monday, Dec. 7 around 10:30 a.m., Manitoba First Nations Police Service (MFNPS) officers responded to reports that a woman had been aggressively assaulted.

Responding officers say the 25-year-old victim informed them she was attacked by her ex-boyfriend who allegedly broke into her home through a window, assaulting and choking her.

The victim described the suspect as extremely intoxicated and in possession of a knife. 

Police located the suspect shortly after, where he was arrested and taken into custody. 

A 28-year-old man from Waywayseecappo First Nation faces charges of assault with a weapon, unlawfully dwelling in a house, mischief under $5000 and failing to comply with a release order, among other charges.

The suspect was held in custody and scheduled to appear in court at a later date. 

Details

Contributed by 730 CKDM

Published: Dec 11, 2020 - 4:48 pm

A number of outdoor activities are still on the table for Manitobans to enjoy during code red restrictions.

Public health officials have provided some guidelines for safely enjoying the physical & mental health benefits of the outdoors, while limiting the spread of COVID-19.

Activities like cross country skiing, snowmobiling, sledding, hiking and running are all allowed — as long as group sizes are no more than five people (there are group-size exemptions for families larger than five).

Manitobans are urged by the province to gather only with people they live with — but people from different households are allowed to gather outdoors in groups of five or less, as long as they maintain two metres distancing and cover their coughs.

Manitoba has no mask requirements for outdoor public places — but Dr. Brent Roussin explains there is still a risk of transmission with prolonged contact in more crowded outdoor settings.

The province says it’s okay if there are other groups in your vicinity, as long as people enjoying the outdoors stay within their groups and maintain physical distancing.

The current public health orders prohibit the use of dressing rooms, warming shacks and other indoor facilities associated with outdoor sporting that would provide an enclosed space and increase the risk of transmission.

Anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms is asked to stay at home under current health orders.

Code red restrictions were recently extended through the holidays, set to expire January 8 — although health officials have indicated that timeline could be adjusted depending on how the COVID situation evolves.

Details

Contributed by Matt Hamel

Published: Dec 11, 2020 - 1:46 pm

Manitoba has passed the 20,000 case mark, adding 447 new COVID-19 cases and 14 more deaths today.

Manitoba has a total of 20,392 cases with 5,517 considered active and 14,410 recovered.

The full list of the most recent deaths in Manitoba can be found at the bottom of this article.

Today’s COVID-19 data shows:

• 43 cases in the Interlake-Eastern health region;
• 136 cases in the Northern health region;
• 35 cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region;
• 40 cases in the Southern Health-Santé Sud health region; and
• 193 cases in the Winnipeg health region.

According to the province’s data, there are active cases in the following Parkland health districts: Dauphin (4, down from 7), Riding Mountain (11), Swan River (2), Porcupine Mountain (29), Duck Mountain (21), Asessippi (3), Little Saskatchewan (4), Whitemud (2), Agassiz Mountain (1). Brandon has 116 active cases, up from 98.

In the Interlake, the Eriksdale/Ashern health district has 28 active cases. Fisher/Peguis has 38.

The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 13.8 percent provincially and 13.2 percent in Winnipeg. As of 9:30 a.m. 

There are 297 people in hospital with COVID-19 and 40 in intensive care.

Public health officials advise 14 additional deaths due to COVID-19 have been reported today, including:

• a male in his 50s from the Winnipeg health region 
• a male in his 50s from the Winnipeg health region
• a male in his 70s from the Interlake-Eastern health region
• a female in her 70s from the Winnipeg health region and linked to an outbreak at the Health Science Centre GD4
• a female in her 80s from the Winnipeg health region
• a female in her 80s from the Winnipeg health region and linked to the outbreak at the Holy Family Personal Care Home
• a female in her 80s from the Winnipeg health region and linked to the outbreak at the Holy Family Personal Care Home
• a male in his 80s from the Winnipeg health region
• a female in her 80s from the Winnipeg health region and linked to the outbreak at the Charleswood Care Centre
• a female in her 90s from the Winnipeg health region and linked to the outbreak at the Saul & Claribel Simkin Centre
• a female in her 90s from the Winnipeg health region and linked to the outbreak at the Bethania Mennonite Personal Care Home 
• a male in his 90s from the Southern Health-Santé Sud health region and linked to the outbreak at Rest Haven Nursing Home
• a male in his 90s from the Winnipeg health region and
• a female in her 100s from the Southern Health-Santé Sud health region and linked to the outbreak at Villa Youville Personal Care Home

Details

Contributed by Tess Kovach

Published: Dec 11, 2020 - 1:00 pm

Provincial officials are asking Manitobans to avoid gathering with people they don’t live with this holiday season.

Premier Brian Pallister was emotional last week as he declared himself “the guy who’s stealing Christmas to keep you safe.”

As we get closer to the holidays, chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin is making the public health recommendations clear: don’t travel, don’t gather, and don’t have people over at your house who don’t normally live there.

“Everyone should celebrate with members of their household only.”

"Limit contacts as much as you reasonably can", says Dr. Roussin

Roussin says there are some exemptions to the gathering rules for those who live alone.

“We want to ensure that [people who live alone] do have the ability of face time with other people. But all of this comes with some risk, right? The more contacts you have, the more risk there is. That’s the interpretation of the orders. Our messaging is to limit your contacts, as much as you reasonably can, to people of your household.”

Under current public health orders, someone who lives alone in Manitoba may designate one person to come spend time with them — and they may also visit that person's household, as well.

Drive-in Christmas Mass

This week health officials announced the extension of Code Red measures until January 8th, and also made some slight adjustments to the orders.

Drive-in style events, like church services, have now been given the green light by the province.

Under the revised orders, holiday-themed items like Christmas decorations are now allowed to be sold in-store.

Although the holidays will look much different this year, that’s not exactly dampening the Christmas spirit — a recent poll by the Angus Reid Institute shows the same number of Canadians are looking forward to the holiday season compared to last year.

Details

Contributed by Matt Hamel

Published: Dec 10, 2020 - 3:21 pm

Manitoba’s top doctor announced another 13 deaths and 293 new cases of COVID-19 today.

The full list of the most recent deaths in Manitoba can be found at the bottom of this article.

Today’s COVID-19 data shows:

• 39 cases in the Interlake–Eastern health region;
• 41 cases in the Northern health region;
• 12 cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region;
• 49 cases in the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region; and
• 152 cases in the Winnipeg health region. 

According to the province’s data, there are active cases in the following Parkland health districts: Dauphin (7), Riding Mountain (11), Swan River (1), Porcupine Mountain (22), Duck Mountain (21), Asessippi (4), Little Saskatchewan (4), Whitemud (2). Brandon has 98 active cases.

In the Interlake, the Eriksdale/Ashern health district has 28 active cases. Fisher/Peguis has 38.

The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 13.3 percent provincially and 13.9 percent in Winnipeg.

Manitoba now has 19,947 cases with 5,380 active and 14,116 recovered.

There are 298 people in hospital with the virus and 43 in intensive care. The number of deaths due to COVID-19 in Manitoba is 451.

Public health officials advise 13 additional deaths due to COVID-19 have been reported today including: 

• a male in his 70s from the Interlake–Eastern health region
• a female in her 70s from the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region, linked to the outbreak at Villa Youville personal care home
• a male in his 70s from the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region
• a male in his 70s from the Winnipeg health region
• a female in her 80s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at Charleswood Care Centre
• a female in her 80s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at Charleswood Care Centre
• a male in his 80s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at Charleswood Care Centre
• a male in his 80s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at Charleswood Care Centre
• a female in her 80s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at Park Manor Care Home
• a male in his 80s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at Park Manor Care Home
• a male in his 80s from the Winnipeg health region
• a female in her 90s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at Charleswood Care Centre and
• a male in his 90s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at Charleswood Care Centre

Details

Contributed by Tess Kovach

Published: Dec 10, 2020 - 12:55 pm

The province is eliminating the shopping hour restrictions that force businesses to close after 6 p.m. on Sundays and statutory holidays. Finance Minister Scott Fielding made the announcement today saying the new legislation will be in effect starting Saturday, December 12.

“Given the current public health restrictions in place to protect Manitobans, we want to provide flexibility to businesses and customers and allow more opportunity for curbside pickup and delivery options as well as longer in-person shopping hours to minimize crowds. During this critical time for retailers across the province, we believe these updated laws will help many businesses with additional revenues as we head into the holiday season.”

All businesses in Manitoba now have the choice to remain open later on Sundays and during statutory holidays, but municipalities have the authority to pass bylaws if they prefer to keep some restrictions in place.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business, Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, Retail Council of Canada and the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce wrote an open letter in mid-November, recommending the government make the change.

The province will maintain its current retail hour restrictions on Remembrance Day.

Manitoba was the only Western Canadian province to restrict retail business hours on Sundays and holidays.

Details

Contributed by Isaac Wihak

Published: Dec 10, 2020 - 6:53 am