Manitoba to Lift Capacity Restrictions on February 15th, Vaccine Passport on March 1st & Mask Mandates on March 15th

Manitoba has announced the province will move to the Yellow (Caution) level under the Pandemic Response System effective 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022.

This means that capacity limits will be eliminated in venues such as restaurants, licensed premises, entertainment venues, indoor and outdoor sporting events and casinos, as well as gatherings at private residences.

Outdoor public gatherings restrictions will be lifted on that but indoor gatherings will be limited to 50 people indoors unless proof of vaccination is required.

The province says young people ages 12 to 17 participating in indoor sports and recreation will no longer be required to provide proof of vaccination or recent testing.

There will be no changes to retail and personal services.

According to the news release, effective February 15th, close contacts of a person who tests positive for COVID-19 will no longer be required to self-isolate.

Manitoba Public health is now recommending self-isolation for people who live in a household with others who have symptoms or tested positive for COVID-19 but it will no longer be required.

Self-isolation requirements for individuals entering the province will also be lifted on February 15th, but anyone travelling from international destinations will continue to be required to meet requirements under the federal Quarantine Act. Public health orders restricting travel to northern Manitoba remain in place.

Schools also will return to Yellow (Caution) under the Pandemic Response System, which requires cohorts in kindergarten to Grade 6. This means that masks will still be required indoors for staff and students but not during physical education classes. Medical masks will be recommended but no longer required for school staff.

Dr. Brent Roussin, chief provincial public health officer says the province plans to remove proof of vaccination requirements effective March 1 and mask mandates and other restrictions will be lifted effective March 15.