Capacity limits for businesses, indoor mask mandate to end in Manitoba starting Saturday
Manitoba is taking another step toward fully reopening as the province announced new public health orders will be coming into effect, allowing more businesses to reopen and lifting the province's mandatory mask mandate.
Dr. Brent Roussin, the chief provincial public health officer, said more than 80 per cent of eligible Manitobans have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, while 71.4 per cent are now fully vaccinated, and 75 per cent of Manitobans are expected to be fully vaccinated this week.
He said with these vaccine numbers, it is allowing Manitoba to go ahead with its newest public health orders, which will come into effect on Aug. 7.
As part of the new orders, mask-wearing will not be required by the province but it will still be strongly recommended for those who are not fully immunized including kids under 12.
Roussin also noted businesses can still require masks.
Some of the new orders will allow many businesses to fully reopen with no restrictions, they include:
- Indoor and outdoor gatherings at private residences;
- Gyms and fitness centres;
- Libraries;
- Services such as hair and nail salons;
- Day camps; and
- Retail businesses, markets, garden centres, and malls.
The new orders will also require limited restrictions for other sectors, such as:
- Weddings and funerals will have the same capacity limits. Capacity is limited to 50 people or 50 per cent of capacity, whichever is greater, while dance floors will remain closed and activities that encourage close gathering and mingling are not recommended;
- Space between tables will not be required at bars or restaurants and dining will not be contained to households or vaccinated people. However, the province said people are expected to avoid socializing between tables;
- The capacity limit at museums, galleries and movie theatres will stay at 50 per cent but these facilities will not be restricted to vaccinated people;
- Casinos and bingo halls, professional sporting events, concert halls and horse and auto racing facilities will now be allowed to open at 100 per cent capacity but will still be limited to vaccinated individuals;
- Spectator capacity will still have limits for indoor and outdoor sports recreation;
- Overnight camps will be allowed with limits on cohorts; and
- Workplaces must continue to report cases to the government and public health said remote working is no longer required or recommended. Businesses are now encouraged to create a plan to reduce the risk of workplace transmission of COVID-19.
These public health orders will be in effect until Sept. 7.
Roussin said this is the largest reopening the province has had since the start of the pandemic and he recommends that people stay patient throughout the process.
"Be kind with others. There will be people who are more open to the loosening restrictions than others, some people may still choose to not take part in crowded events. Some businesses may still require the use of masks," said Roussin.
He noted while these are the new health orders, businesses can still make their own policies which could include requiring people to be vaccinated.
The top doctor was also asked why the province is going ahead with the latest round of reopening and removing the mask mandate considering how prominent the Delta variant is throughout Canada and around the world.
"Each province has to follow the epidemiology in their province. So certainly, we might see the beginnings of a fourth wave in certain areas potentially around the world. In Manitoba, although we are seeing an increase in (the) proportion of cases of Delta, we are seeing that in the face of declining case numbers and declining test positivity."
He said Manitobans have stepped up to get vaccinated, but still encouraged more people to get the shot, noting the 80 per cent first dose and 75 per cent second dose goals are not the endpoint for the pandemic.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'We are declaring our readiness': No decision made yet as Poland declares it's ready to host nuclear weapons
Polish President Andrzej Duda says while no decision has been made around whether Poland will host nuclear weapons as part of an expansion of the NATO alliance’s nuclear sharing program, his country is willing and prepared to do so.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Harvey Weinstein hospitalized after return to New York from upstate prison
Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer said Saturday that the onetime movie mogul has been hospitalized for a battery of tests after his return to New York City following an appeals court ruling nullifying his 2020 rape conviction.
Central Alberta queer groups react to request from Red Deer-South to reinstate Jennifer Johnson to UCP caucus
A number of LGBQT+2s groups in Central Alberta are pushing back against a request from the Red Deer South UCP constituency to reinstate MLA Jennifer Johnson into the UCP caucus.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
First court appearance for boy and girl charged in death of Halifax 16-year-old
A girl and a boy, both 14 years old, made their first appearance today in a Halifax courtroom, where they each face a second-degree murder charge in the stabbing death of a 16-year-old high school student.
It's 30 years since apartheid ended. South Africa's celebrations are set against growing discontent
South Africa marked 30 years since the end of apartheid and the birth of its democracy with a ceremony in the capital Saturday that included a 21-gun salute and the waving of the nation's multicolored flag.