What could a post-pandemic Manitoba look like?
Manitoba's COVID-19 case counts are dropping, with 36 cases recorded on Tuesday, and with the province reaching its second vaccine target for reopening almost a month early.
As the province continues to take the steps of getting COVID-19 under control, the question can be asked: what would a post-pandemic Manitoba look like?
On Monday, Dr. Brent Roussin, the chief provincial public health officer, hinted the pandemic's days are numbered.
The province has already announced that as the summer progresses COVID-19 statistics won't be reported on a daily. It also hopes public health restrictions can disappear and be replaced with recommendations.
Virologist Jason Kindrachuk said some practices that could stay include increased hand washing and social distancing.
"These kinds of measures are important, but do we need to be doing them all the time? Certainly not. But we have to have them in our arsenal of things to be able to use to try and curb the spread of other infections moving forward," said Kindrachuk.
Pennyloaf Bakery owner Suzanna Gessler started implementing later start times for her employees, and says that won't change when the new normal begins.
"Maybe you're less likely to catch COVID or any other illnesses, so that's been something we have done and I don't think we'll be changing back, I don't think we'll be going back to the 8 a.m. start," said Gessler.
She added that she plans to keep the mask policy in place at her business until more people are fully vaccinated.
Kindrachuk also feels things like video conferencing and staying home from work when sick will also become more permanent.
Dr. Cory Baillie, a past president of Doctors Manitoba, hopes virtual visit with patients will also stick around.
"I'm a rheumatologist, many of my patients are elderly or are challenged with arthritis, it can be really difficult for them to come into the office," said Baillie.
Doctors Manitoba did a poll that shows 63 per cent of Manitobans had a virtual doctor's visit during the pandemic and 90 per cent were satisfied with the visit.
When it comes to what businesses could look like, Jonathan Alward with the Canadian Federation for Independent Business said customer and staff preferences will likely guide decisions.
"Certainly making sure their customers and staff feel as safe as possible is going to be paramount for them and that's going to determine how they proceed accordingly," said Alward.
He added the big question is what the government will mandate, noting that knowing the longer-term reopening plans could change business policies.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
'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.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Pilot reported fire onboard plane carrying fuel, attempted to return to Fairbanks just before crash
One of the two pilots aboard an airplane carrying fuel reported there was a fire on the airplane shortly before it crashed and burned outside Fairbanks, killing both people on board, a federal aviation official said Wednesday.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'
Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly provided by U.S. to hit Russian-held areas, officials say
Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area overnight, American officials said Wednesday.