NewsNow
A special weather statement has been issued for the Parkland, calling for a quick transition to cooler temperatures over the next few days.
Environment Canada is advising of an abrupt transition to fall weather this weekend, with wind gusts up to 90km as well as the risk of frost for Southern Manitoba.
The advisory is in effect for the following areas:
- Gilbert Plains Mun. incl. Ashville
- Grandview Mun. incl. Valley River Res.
- Mossey River Mun. incl. Winnipegosis and Fork River
- Mun. of Ethelbert incl. Garland
- Mun. of Roblin incl. Makaroff Shortdale and Bield
- Mun. of Russell-Binscarth incl. Gambler Res.
- R.M. of Dauphin incl. Sifton and Valley River
- R.M. of Lakeshore incl. Ochre River and Makinak
- R.M. of Lakeshore incl. Rorketon and Toutes Aides
- R.M. of Riding Mountain West incl. Asessippi Prov. Park
- Details
- Contributed by Tess Kovach
Nine new cases of COVID-19 were announced today, with only 1 new case in Prairie Mountain Health.
Of the new cases today, none are in the Dauphin health district.
2 of today’s cases are in the Southern Health region, but are not connected to the Bethesda Place care home in Steinbach.
Manitoba now has 1,273 cases, with 422 active and 835 recovered. No new deaths have been reported.
With the long weekend ahead of us, health officials are reminding Manitoban’s to take steps in minimizing the spread of COVID-19 – washing your hands, physical distancing, wearing a mask, and staying home if you’re sick.
The next news conference will be held Tuesday, Sept. 8, where Dr. Brent Roussin will give a full provincial update. For more information about COVID-19, click here.
- Details
- Contributed by Tess Kovach
The new school year starts on Tuesday, however not everyone will be returning to the classroom.
The Mountain View School Division has adapted plans to make things as COVID-19 friendly as possible, and that includes the use of remote learning.
MVSD Superintendent Dan Ward says remote learning will be offered to any student that has underlying health issues, provided they have a recommendation from their physician.
“We’re asking parents that would like to access remote learning for their kids to seek advice from their health care provider, and if there’s a need for a child to learn from home they have to get a note from their doctor, and we will set that child up for remote learning.”
Remote learning is also available if a student in the MVSD has a family member with an underlying health issue. In that case, a medical note is still required before being accepted for remote learning options.
The MVSD Superintendent says those who are required to learn from home will get additional support from school counsellors, teachers, youth support workers, and social workers.
Students will also have the option to use the divisions ‘Device Loan Out Program,’ giving them access to any devices they need for classes, as well as free Wi-Fi.
When it comes to immunocompromised teachers, the division will assess the best way for teachers to remain working.
“It could be a whole range of things. In some instances where it’s possible, it may be moving the work site, and in other situations, it may be offering teacher’s advice in terms of how to access benefits like sick leave, or short term and long term disability leave. It’s not a one size fits all.”
Ward says there is also a provincial homeschooling option for parents and students, as well as an independent study option.
More information can be found on the MVSD website.
- Details
- Contributed by Tess Kovach
The Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM) virtually met with Parkland municipalities this week.
AMM President Ralph Groening met with the RM of Alonsa, Municipality of Minitonas-Bowsman, Town of Swan River, Grandview Municipality, Gilbert Plains Municipality, RM of Dauphin, and the City of Dauphin.
“The intent of the visits are simply for us to develop a better sense of the concerns that these municipalities are working through and to find better ways to lobby and advocate on their behalf.”
Groening was joined in the Zoom calls by Vice-Presidents Kam Blight and Brad Saluk, Parkland District Directors Ron Kostyshyn and Jim Manchur, and Executive Director Denys Volkov.
Kostyshyn, who’s also the Reeve of Mossey River Municipality, says COVID-19 impacts and recent healthcare disruptions in the region were prominently featured in the discussions.
“This pandemic has certainly underscored the importance of maintaining services in local communities and building capacity closer to home, ensuring health resources in every community.”
Manchur, who’s a councillor with Gilbert Plains, says poor cell coverage and spotty broadband Internet was another topic brought up in the discussions.
“Several councils highlighted the need for an accelerated provincial broadband strategy. Connecting communities is vital for pursuing economic growth and investment opportunities, especially as more Manitobans are working from home and local businesses are relying more on e-commerce during this pandemic.”
Groening adds that municipalities shared their frustrations in the delay of the second phase of the federal-provincial-municipal economic development program that helps communities deal with infrastructure challenges and rural crime and concerns with policing costs were also brought up during the Zoom calls.
The AMM represents all 137 municipalities in Manitoba.
- Details
- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
Two women are being charged with public incitement of hatred in Brandon, and police are searching for three others.
Police were called to a downtown skate park last night around 7:30 because a group of 5 people were allegedly yelling racial slurs at a Black man.
Police say he was trying to leave and avoid a confrontation, but the group blocked and attacked him.
What started as a fight, ended with him being stabbed five times.
He’s in stable condition in hospital and is expected to fully recover.
Two women are in police custody and are expected to be charged with assault and public incitement of hatred.
Police are also looking for two other females and a male.
- Details
- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
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
Manitobans can enjoy free provincial park access the Labour Day long weekend.
From Saturday, September 4th to Monday, September 7th, 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
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
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
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
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
