Manitoba Government Press Release–The Manitoba government is declaring a provincewide state of emergency under The Emergency Measures Act to protect the health and safety of all Manitobans and reduce the spread of COVID-19, Premier Brian Pallister announced today.
“This decision was not made lightly. However, we must continue to use every tool available to ‘flatten the curve’ and reduce the spread of COVID-19 on our communities and our health-care system,” said Pallister. “Our government is focused solely on the health and safety of all Manitobans. This move will enable us to react more quickly on a broad range of supportive measures to stop the spread for COVID-19 and ensure that essential services are available for all Manitobans during this global health pandemic.”
A state of emergency has been declared by the powers set out in Section 11(1) and 11(2) of The Emergency Measures Act to enable to province to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the Chief Provincial Public Health Officer is issuing orders under The Public Health Act as approved by the Minister of Health Seniors and Active Living.
“With this declaration, the biggest roles for all Manitobans to play right now, is to protect yourself, your family, your friends and your community”, said Dr. Brent Roussin, chief provincial public health officer. “I cannot emphasize this enough – this is the time for action. We must change our day-to-day lives, and think about your role in protecting ourselves and all Manitobans.”
As authorized under The Public Health Act, the following measures will be in place, effective immediately, for a period of 30 days:
1. Limiting public gatherings of more than 50 people at any indoor or outdoor place or premises. This includes places of worship, gatherings and family events such as weddings and funerals. This does not apply to a facility where health care or social services are provided. Retail businesses including grocery or food stores, shopping centres, pharmacies or gas stations must ensure separation of one to two metres between patrons assembling in the business. Public transportation facilities must also ensure that people assembling at the facility are reasonably able to maintain a separation of one to two metres from others assembling at the facility.
2. Limiting hospitality premises where food or alcohol is served or any theatres offering live performances of music, dance and other art forms as movies theatres to 50 people or 50 per cent of the capacity of the premises, whichever is lesser. These establishments must be able to ensure social distance of one to two metres between customers.
3. Immediate closures of all bingo and gaming events.
4. All wellness centres offering physical activities, gyms, fitness centres and athletic clubs and training facilities
“This is a time to support our friends, families and communities,” said Pallister. “The situation is constantly evolving and changing rapidly. Enacting a state of emergency will further our province’s ability to be nimble, act swiftly and support Manitobans when they need it most.”
For the most up-to-date information, please visit the Manitoba government’s COVID-19 page.
Information on public testing sites:
A new community testing site has opened in Steinbach. Located at 365 Reimer Ave., the site will operate as a drive-thru, with daily hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. These locations are not walk-in clinics. Patients must receive a referral prior to arriving at these sites. Other locations throughout the province include:
• Winnipeg – Access Winnipeg West (280 Booth Dr.), Access Fort Garry (135 Plaza Dr.), Access Transcona (845 Regent Ave. West) and the Mount Carmel Clinic (886 Main St.). Hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the week and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
• Brandon – The Nurses Residence Gymnasium at the Brandon Regional Health Centre (150 McTavish Ave. East). Hours are daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Selkirk – 622 Superior Ave. The drive-thru site will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Thompson – Thompson Clinic in the Plaza Mall (50 Selkirk Ave.). Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday.
• The Pas – Guy Hall, 28 First St. West. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday.
• Flin Flon – Channing Auditorium in the Flin Flon Community Hall, 2 North Ave. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday.
More locations are expected to open in the coming days including a new drive-thru location in south Winnipeg.
The pre-screening tool is now also available in French. For more information, visit:
https://covid19.soinscommunsmb.ca/covid19/outil-de-depistage/.
Any person concerned about their exposure to or risk of having COVID-19 should call Health Links–Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or toll-free at 1-888-315-9257 before arriving at a testing site.
For the most up-to-date information and the government’s screening tool, please visit the Manitoba government’s COVID-19 page.