Southern Manitoba residents celebrating relaxed restrictions for certain communities
Manitoba's current public health orders are being extended for another three weeks, but starting Tuesday, restrictions are relaxing for six municipalities in southern Manitoba, which has residents excited for the change.
On Monday, the province announced that the following communities would be exempt from the cap on retail capacity that’s been mandated for the Southern Health region: Cartier, Headingley, Macdonald, Niverville-Ritchot, St. Francois Xavier and Tache.
"I am pumped. It is one step closer to returning back to normal. So what more can you ask for?” said Kris Dueck, a Niverville resident.
According to the Manitoba government, these exemptions are due to vaccination rates and the proximity of the communities to Winnipeg.
"Considering their vaccine rates are more consistent with that of Winnipeg, as well as their proximity to Winnipeg, the new public health orders will see these select municipalities treated like Winnipeg and the rest of the province," said Dr. Brent Roussin, chief provincial public health officer, at a news conference on Monday.
After his community was included in tightened health restrictions for the Southern Health region last month, Niverville Mayor Myron Dyck had been petitioning the government for an exception.
"But this time, with it being that we are in Southern Health, where there’s, you know, lower vaccination rates compared to where we are, we didn't think that was right. We said you've done it before, Please do it again,” Dyck said.
The town of Niverville currently has a vaccination rate of 83.4 per cent, just below Winnipeg's 89 per cent, but much higher than Southern Health's 67.8 per cent.
"The province wants municipal leaders to advocate for vaccines, to incentivize people. The decision beforehand kind of usurped the authority of municipal leaders whereas this gives us the authority and we are thankful for that,” Dyck said.
Over at Turning Point Youth Drop-In Centre in Niverville, the relaxed capacity limit is being celebrated.
"It's a huge help to my mind the amount of complications we have to jump through while trying to abide by meaningful regulations but still help the kids that really need it," said Gordon Kroker, director of Turning Point.
This is a sentiment echoed by other Niverville residents.
"I think it is exciting for everyone. Any step in the right direction is always going to be a good step for everybody," said Tyler Hawryluk, a Niverville resident.
The public health orders will be in place until Nov. 16.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Nonsense:' Doug Ford slams lawsuits filed by Ontario school boards against social media platforms
Premier Doug Ford says that lawsuits launched by four Ontario school boards against a trio of social media platforms are “nonsense” and risk becoming a distraction to the work that really matters.
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
Tipping is off the table at this Toronto restaurant
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff.
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 mm among weather alerts in effect for 7 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres, air quality advisories and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.
Canada Post’s newest stamp features special cookies for Islamic holiday
Canada Post’s newest specialty stamps feature “melt-in-your-mouth” desserts to mark two Islamic festivals, the crown corporation announced Thursday.
King Charles calls for acts of friendship in first public remarks since Kate's cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave public remarks for Maundy Thursday, addressing the importance of acts of friendship, following his and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.
A dog and a bird formed an unlikely friendship. Their separation has infuriated followers
Peggy is a stout and muscular Staffordshire bull terrier, and Molly is a magpie, an Australian bird best known for swooping on humans during breeding season, not for befriending dogs. But in an emotional video posted online, Peggy’s owners announced that the animals had been separated.
Statistics Canada reports real GDP up 0.6 per cent in January as Quebec strikes end
Canada's real gross domestic product grew 0.6 per cent in January, helped by the end of public sector strikes in Quebec in November and December, Statistics Canada said Thursday.
Ukrainian child asylum seekers in St. John’s get class of their own
Roughly 50 children will gathered in a St. John’s classroom for the first time on Saturday for unique lessons on Ukrainian language, culture and history.