Childcare centres in Manitoba will no longer be required to notify COVID-19 close contacts
Early learning and childcare centres (ELCC) in Manitoba will no longer be required to notify close contacts of COVID-19 cases.
The province made the announcement in the COVID-19 bulletin on Wednesday, saying the decision puts ELCC facilities in line with schools in the province.
“Attendance of children and staff will be based on symptom screening,” the bulletin reads. “Children or staff exposed to COVID-19 in the childcare and school settings may continue to attend childcare and school if they are asymptomatic.”
Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba’s chief provincial public health officer, said staff, family and home daycare providers should continue to monitor for symptoms daily.
He said with Omicron being so infectious and having a shorter incubation period, the current standard of contact tracing is not effective.
“If we see a change in the virus again, then perhaps, there may be a need for it,” Roussin said. “Right now, we’re dealing with Omicron and the nature of this virus is not conducive to widespread contact tracing.”
Earlier in the month, the province made similar changes to close contact notification at schools, saying the province needs to shift its strategy to find ways to mitigate the risk of COVID-19, rather than containing the virus.
When asked what he would say to parents, Roussin said, on average, COVID-19 has been much less severe in younger ages and they haven’t seen many severe outcomes in children.
“We’ve seen that toll on kids being out of school and daycare, the toll on parents, and this is a matter of trying to reduce some of that burden,” he said.
The province said public health will continue to monitor overall cases in the centres and may contact a facility if increased COVID-19 activity is suspected.
Roussin said home-based centres should follow the same guidance that applies to other childcare centres.
The new guidance takes effect on Jan. 28.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Millions of cyberattacks per hour as B.C. government investigates multiple breaches
Careful attention to government statements and legislation is required to get a handle on the level of risk British Columbians’ information is under, as investigators probe multiple breaches under a continued barrage of attacks.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
New 'Lord of the Rings' film coming in 2026
The Oscar-winning team behind the nearly US$6 billion blockbuster 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies is reuniting to produce two new films.