Manitoba plans to start re-opening Phase 4 amid the corona virus on July 25, Winnipeg

According to Manitoba’s prime minister, the province plans to move into the next phase of reopening in the middle of COVID-19 this weekend – including increasing the size of the meeting, opening half-capacity casinos and lifting restrictions on retail and indoor recreation areas.

Brian Pallister said Tuesday the province is seeking public feedback on the plan, which could enter the fourth phase of reopening on July 25.

“Thanks to the efforts of all Manitobans, we continue to lead the recovery and are among the lowest COVID-19 test positive rates in the country,” Pallister said in a press release.

“That means we can continue our careful, balanced plan to get our economy going again, give people back their lives and get Manitobans back to work.”

The province’s draft plan to reopen the fourth phase includes:

• Increase the size of the meeting to 75 people indoors and 250 people outdoors, where the public can keep a reasonable distance of at least two meters from other people, except for a short exchange. Larger group sizes would be allowed if different groups of 75 or 250 can be separated to prevent contact with other groups.
• Increasing visits to personal care and long-term care facilities to ensure that a balanced approach to visits is required that reduces the risk of COVID-19 transmission within sites. Each resident or designated employee could identify two supporters who could visit the resident’s room in the house. Outdoor visits are allowed depending on the availability of space for a reasonable number of visitors (up to four people) per resident. Each location must develop specific plans to allow visitors to go outside / indoors to ensure the safety of the residents of the facilities.
• Adjust restrictions on faith-based gatherings, pow wows, and other cultural and spiritual events, and resume live theater and movie theaters. No cohorts are needed and capacity is increased to 50 percent of the site’s capacity or 500 people, whichever is lower. Adequate physical distance between individuals and households must still be ensured.
• Opening of casinos with a maximum occupancy of 50 percent of the capacity of the location. Physical spacing and frequent and improved cleaning and wiping of surfaces are required.
• Removal of occupancy restrictions in all retail stores and recreation areas with the exception of gyms, fitness centers, martial arts, gymnastics clubs and yoga studios. These locations must have a 50 percent occupancy rate, or one person per 10 square meters, whichever is lower.
• Enable closer distance in therapeutic healthcare companies and personal service providers such as hairdressing and nail salons that have an impermeable barrier installed.
• A walk-up service is possible in bars, drinks rooms and brewing bars, provided that permeable barriers and hand disinfectants are not available to customers. In addition, the services can be cleaned and wiped more frequently.

The province is also considering lifting the 14-day self-isolated travel restriction on domestic travel within Canada, the Prime Minister added.

Everyone who travels to Manitoba from the Atlantic Provinces and Quebec, as well as the communities in Ontario east of Terrace Bay – a small community on Lake Superior – has to isolate themselves for two weeks.

Pallister said Manitoba is the only province outside the Atlantic with such a rule for local visitors, and the abolition can be done safely.

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“We have shown that we have the discipline to live together while we … keep our distance, wash our hands and protect each other,” said Pallister.

“I would say to those who are afraid, I am also afraid, I am also afraid. But I will not allow fear to rule my life and I would ask that fear not rule your life. “

Manitobans can weigh up the proposed changes on the province’s website, and a town hall meeting over the phone is scheduled for Wednesday.

On Monday, the prime minister announced that the province of Winnipeg will offer a hub for a shortened CFL season in the middle of COVID-19 should the league continue to play later this year.

He said the province is providing $ 2.5 million to encourage the CFL to choose Winnipeg.

Pallister said the money will come from an $ 8 million event attraction strategy that aims to maximize the potential of destinations in Winnipeg and rural Manitoba to host “large-scale meetings, conventions, and events.”

Manitoba has registered 366 confirmed and likely COVID-19 cases so far – a lower rate than most other provinces. Seven people died and 41 cases remained active on Tuesday.

The province had an active case on July 13, but had seen an outbreak in some Hutterite colonies and some positive tests among international travelers in recent days.

The New Democrats opposition said the government should hire more nurses and childcare workers as more companies open up, and also consider increasing the focus on masks.

“The province should encourage Manitobans to wear masks to ensure family safety when additional reopening measures are implemented,” NDP chairman Wab Kinew said in a written statement.

Liberal leader Dougald Lamont criticized the easing of travel rules between the provinces.

“The prime minister seems to think that Manitoba is somehow immune to COVID-19. We didn’t hit it. We just kept it at bay, ”said Lamont.

– With files from The Canadian Press

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Manitoba Hutterite Colonies hit by COVID-19

Questions about COVID-19? Here are some things you need to know:

Symptoms can include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, much like a cold or flu. Some people can develop a more serious illness. The most vulnerable include older adults and those with severe chronic conditions such as heart, lung, or kidney disease. If you develop symptoms, contact the health authorities.

To prevent the spread of the virus, experts recommend washing your hands and coughing up your sleeve frequently. They also recommend minimizing contact with others, staying at home as much as possible, and staying two meters away from other people when you go out. In situations where you cannot keep a safe distance from other people, health authorities recommend using a non-medical face mask or cover to prevent the spread of the breath droplets that can transmit the virus. In some provinces and municipalities across the country, masks or face coverings are now mandatory in public interiors.

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