Manitoba makes changes to public health orders due to heat wave
The Manitoba government is easing some of its public health orders in order to help people stay cool during the current heat wave.
These changes come as Environment Canada issued a heat warning for several parts of the province, saying, “very hot temperatures are pushing their way through southern Manitoba from the west.”
The weather agency noted that temperatures will hit the low 30s on Thursday and will be “extremely hot” on Friday and Saturday. The overnight lows will be in the teens.
Due to this forecast, the Manitoba government said municipalities will temporarily be allowed to repurpose facilities, such as libraries and community centres, into cooling centres for vulnerable Manitobans.
The province noted that the changes to the public health orders also allow for outdoor pools or splash pads at hotels, campgrounds and private businesses to operate. However, restrictions on gatherings and interacting with people not in your household still apply.
The Manitoba government said anyone going to these facilities must be able to maintain at least two metres distance from other members of the public. It added that the facilities will have supervision and efforts will be made to make sure the public follows physical distancing and public health protocols. Enforcement officers will also be monitoring and recommending any adjustments.
These public health orders went into effect on June 2 at 2 p.m. and will remain in place until 12:01 a.m. on June 12.
The province added that municipalities can also consider providing the following services to help with the heat wave:
- Distributing bottled drinking water;
- Providing shade tents in priority areas;
- Operating transit buses as mobile cooling centres, where applicable; and
- Allowing drop-in and overnight shelters to provide expanded daytime hours during times of extreme heat.
Environment Canada reminds Manitobans that everyone is at risk when it comes to the effects of heat. However, during a time of prolonged heat, older adults, those with chronic illness, and people living alone are at particularly high-risk, especially if they live in an urban area or don’t have air conditioning. Others who are also at a high risk include infants and young kids, and people who work or exercise in the heat.
The weather agency urges people to take care of themselves and others, and check in with vulnerable or socially isolated people. It added that people or pets should never be left alone in a parked vehicle or direct sunlight and water should be provided.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.