WINNIPEG – COVID-19 cases and deaths in Manitoba, especially in the metropolitan Winnipeg region have been soaring. On Sunday, November 1, 2020, there were 120 people hospitalized province-wide with the virus. There were 18 people in the Intensive Care Units. Six more deaths were reported.
There have been 78 deaths in Manitoba since the COVID-19 pandemic started. 55 of those fatalities have occurred in the past thirty days.
Winnipeg Metropolitan Region will move to the “critical” red level on the province’s pandemic response system.
Condition Red Restrictions in Winnipeg
New COVID-19 public health orders were issued for the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region by the Chief Provincial Public Health Officer on November 1, 2020. These orders come into effect at 12:01 a.m. on November 2, 2020, and remain in effect for two weeks. These orders replace the orders issued on October 19, 2020.
Under the new orders:
- The maximum size of gatherings is five people. This applies to ceremonies such as weddings and funerals and social events like banquets and receptions, as well as informal gatherings such as dinners and house parties.
- Gatherings involving more than five persons may take place if:
(a) the number of persons attending does not exceed 15 percent of the usual capacity of the place or premises where the gathering is held;
(b) the place or premises where the gathering is held is physically divided into separate areas which contain no more than five persons each; and
(c) persons in each area are prevented from coming into close proximity with persons in another area during the gathering as well as when entering or leaving. - All community, cultural and religious gatherings are to be at 15 percent of a site’s capacity or 100 people, whichever is lower.
- Restaurants and other public food establishments, and bars, beverage rooms, brewpubs, microbreweries, and distilleries are required to close to in-person dining. Take-out, delivery and drive-thru services may continue.
- Grocery stores and pharmacies must maintain site capacity at 50 percent. All other retail capacity is reduced to 25 percent or five people, whichever is higher (not including employees). eService, pick-up, or delivery is recommended whenever possible. People are encouraged to limit the number of people from each household who go shopping.
- There is no change to school requirements at this time. Blended learning options are required for grades 9 to 12. Voluntary blended learning options can temporarily be available for kindergarten to Grade 8. Schools are advised to ensure as much physical distancing as possible (two meters). Cohorts or remote/blended learning is required when this is not possible.
- Elective and non-urgent surgery and diagnostic services may be postponed. Urgent and emergency surgeries, procedures, and diagnostic services will continue. Hospital visitation is suspended, with exceptions made on a case-by-case basis for patients receiving end-of-life care, in labour and delivery, as well as in pediatrics.
- Gyms and fitness centres are to maintain site occupancy at 25 percent of a site’s capacity. Mask use is mandatory, even while exercising. Contact information for attendees/patrons must be collected.
- All casinos, VLTs, recreational facilities, group sports, arcades, bowling alleys, all indoor and outdoor sports facilities, museums, galleries, libraries, movie theatres, and concert halls are closed.
- The maximum occupancy of personal service businesses is limited to 50 percent of their usual occupancy or one person for every 10 square meters of the premises that is open to the public, whichever is less.
Individuals in the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region must also:
- Wear a mask in all indoor public places.
- Stay home when sick.
- Practice social distancing, hand washing/sanitizing and cough etiquette.
- Follow public health guidance on travel and self-isolation.
- Vulnerable people, such as seniors, are encouraged to exercise additional caution.
Previous provisions in place for all other sectors, not listed above, in this region remain in place. Further direction or additional restrictions may put in place by public health at any time.
