The Manitoba government has declared a provincewide state of emergency to protect the health and safety of all Manitobans and reduce the spread of COVID-19 on March 20, 2020.
WHAT DOES MANITOBA’S STATE OF EMERGENCY MEAN
Premier Brian Pallister has declared the emergency under the powers set out in Section 11(1) and 11(2) of The Emergency Measures Act to enable to the province to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the Chief Provincial Public Health Officer has issued orders under The Public Health Act as approved by the Minister of Health Seniors and Active Living.
Following measures will be in place, effective immediately, for a period of 30 days:
- 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.
- 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.
- Immediate closures of all bingo and gaming events.
- All wellness centres offering physical activities, gyms, fitness centres and athletic clubs and training facilities closed.