Manitoba to allow small outdoor gatherings under health order changes
Manitobans will soon be able to gather outside with friends and family, as the province's top doctor announced changes to the public health orders set to take effect this weekend.
Dr. Brent Roussin, the chief provincial public health officer, announced the changes to the orders on Wednesday, saying the province is in a position to slowly and minimally ease restrictions.
Under the changes, Manitobans will be able to gather outside in limited groups on public and private property.
Roussin said on private property, people can have up to five visitors in addition to those in the household. He clarified the visitors should be from no more than two households.
Groups gathering in public outdoor spaces, including golf courses, will be limited to five people total.
"These are the only changes that will be occurring at this time," Roussin said, adding all other restrictions remain in place.
Indoor gatherings remain limited to household contacts only, Roussin said.
Retail businesses will remain at 10 per cent capacity or 100 customers, whichever is lower. The rule limiting only one person per household in a business also remains in place.
Restaurant patios are also required to remain closed.
These new orders take effect on Saturday, June 12 at 12:01 a.m., and will remain in place until Saturday, June 26, at 12:01 a.m.
"We're not signalling an opening here. We're just signalling that Manitobans have given up so much – (they) haven't been able to see the people they care about in so long, even outdoors," Roussin said.
He said while the orders allow Manitobans to gather in small groups, he urged people to keep their contacts down as much as possible.
The province recommends physical distancing and mask use in outdoor settings for people from different households.
"We still are going to rely heavily on Manitobans to follow the fundamentals – to follow the spirit of what this represents for these next few weeks."
Roussin said Manitoba does have plans for reopening the province in the near future, but said they rely on lowered COVID-19 case counts and increased vaccination rates.
This is a developing story. More to come.
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.