Winnipeg 
Manitoba has announced more restrictions as new COVID-19 cases are increasing rapidly in the province.
Additional measures include gatherings limited to 50 per cent of the venue capacity or 250 people, whichever is less. The capacity limits extend to all types of venues from including religious gatherings, theatres, restaurants, museums, recreational facilities, indoor and outdoor ticketed sporting events.
Manitoba is also banning liquor sales in restaurants and licensed premises after 10 p.m. daily.
“Over the last week, case numbers have increased sharply, and we must again take steps to reduce the spread of the virus to help protect Manitoba’s health-care system,” said Premier Heather Stefanson announcing the restrictions.
“As we approach the new year – a time that is usually filled with celebration – we are urging Manitobans to limit your close contacts at this crucial time in our fight against COVID-19. We all have a role to play, and we encourage everyone get fully vaccinated, including a third dose when eligible, follow the public health orders and focus on the fundamentals.”
The changes will come into effect on Tuesday, Dec. 28 at 12:01 a.m. and will expire on Jan. 11, 2022.
NEW CAPACITY LIMITS
The additional restrictions mean gatherings must not exceed 50 per cent of the usual capacity of the space, or 250 people, whichever is less.
This includes:
• indoor and outdoor public gatherings;
• restaurants, licensed premises, food courts and socials;
• movie theatre and concert halls;
• performing arts venues and outdoor ticketed performing arts events;
• museums and art galleries;
• outdoor and indoor sporting and recreational facilities including dance schools and martial arts studios;
• gyms, fitness centres and yoga studios;
• indoor and outdoor ticketed sporting events;
• indoor recreational businesses;
• seasonal facilities and events;
• religious services and Indigenous cultural events; and
• bingos, casinos and businesses with VLTs.
The changes will affect capacity limits at these locations including gatherings where all attendees are fully vaccinated, have a medical reason not to receive a vaccine or people under 12 years of age.
These new measures are on top of the new measures that include:
- private indoor gatherings are limited to 10 additional people plus the household if all are fully vaccinated (youth ages 12 and under are exempt from needing to be fully vaccinated);
- Private indoor gatherings are limited to five additional people plus the household if any of the individuals ages 12 year and older are unvaccinated (youth ages 12 and under are exempt from needing to be fully vaccinated);
- Outdoor gatherings at a private residence are limited to 20 additional people plus the household if all are fully vaccinated (youth ages 12 and under are exempt from needing to be fully vaccinated);
- Outdoor gatherings held on public property are limited to 50 per cent of the usual capacity if all in attendance are fully vaccinated (youth ages 12 and under are exempt from needing to be fully vaccinated), and 50 persons total if anyone present is unvaccinated (youth ages 12 and under are exempt from needing to be fully vaccinated);
Manitoba reported 2,154 new cases of the virus since Friday: 785 cases on Saturday, Dec. 25; 694 cases on Sunday, Dec. 26; and, 675 cases on Monday, Dec. 27.
The five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 19 per cent provincially and 21.2 per cent in Winnipeg.
