WINNIPEG – The province of Manitoba is seeing COVID-19 numbers continue to surge.
Premier Brian Pallister will host a press conference to discuss COVID-19 enforcement efforts in Manitoba.
The Manitoba government is providing an update on ongoing enforcement efforts to protect Manitobans from the spread of COVID-19.
A total of 202 warnings and 100 tickets were issued last week from Nov. 23 to 29 including:
• 22 $5,000 tickets to businesses for various offences;
• 48 $1,296 tickets to individuals for various offences;
• 23 $298 tickets for failure to wear a mask in indoor public places; and
• seven band bylaw tickets were issued by Manitoba First Nations Police Service.
A total of $181,574 in fines were issued last week, up from $126,082 the week prior.
Current public health orders restrict indoor and outdoor gatherings in public places of no more than five. The Manitoba government encourages Manitobans to continue to stay active and enjoy the outdoors in groups of no more than five.
Officials are also providing an update on enforcement efforts related to religious services at two churches over the weekend.
The Church of God (Restoration) received a business fine of $5,000, while individuals received a total of six tickets for $1,296. One $1,296 ticket was issued for the service at Springs Church. Several tickets are pending, including a business fine of $5,000. Investigations related to these services are ongoing and further tickets are expected to follow.
The province is also providing an update on enforcement related to a large demonstration in Steinbach on Nov. 14. To date, 30 tickets have been sworn and more are expected to receive tickets as the investigation continues.
Enforcement officials advise a protest at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights was prevented by Winnipeg Police Service on Nov. 28 before a group larger than five could gather.
Since enforcement efforts began in April, a total of 663 warnings and 353 tickets have been issued, resulting in more than $549,846 in fines to businesses and individuals.
Almost 3,300 personnel across various agencies are empowered to enforce public health orders to protect Manitobans. This includes RCMP, law enforcement agencies, provincial employees and municipal partners, such as the City of Winnipeg. The number of personnel who are trained and actively enforcing public health orders continues to grow, with an additional 208 people trained as of last week.
