Toronto 
Manitoba, today, announced that the province will require patrons to show COVID-19 vaccine proof at places like restaurants and theatres.
Starting September 3rd, places where vaccine proof is required, can also operate without capacity limits or public health restrictions, Health and Seniors Care Minister Audrey Gordon announced today.
Manitoba is also bringing back mask use in all indoor public spaces across the province effective at 12:01 a.m. on Aug. 28th.
“The emergence of the delta variant has changed things significantly. Now, public health officials tell us the pandemic is one of the unimmunized and we must take these extra steps to protect the nearly 230,000 children who are not yet eligible for immunization,” said Gordon. “Manitoba’s vaccine passport benefit will help encourage greater vaccine uptake, which is necessary to protect our health-care system from the COVID-19 fourth wave.”
List of places where proof of vaccination will be required:
Starting September 3rd, the following places/activities will require proof of vaccination.
- Indoor and outdoor ticketed sporting events and concerts;
- Indoor theatre/dance/symphony events;
- Restaurants (indoor and patio dining);
- Nightclubs and all other licensed premises;
- Casinos, bingo halls and VLT lounges;
- Movie theatres;
- Fitness centres, gyms and indoor sporting and recreational facilities (excluding youth recreational sport); and
- Organized indoor group recreational classes and activities, and indoor recreational businesses.
Children 11 and under who are not eligible to be immunized will be able to attend events and activities with a fully immunized adult.
Proof of vaccination:
Acceptable proof of vaccination will include the digital or physical Manitoba Immunization Card, or a secure printed provincial immunization record from either public health or the Shared Health online portal that shows immunization dates.
Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba’s chief provincial public health officer, said these public health orders will reduce the need for more stringent public health restrictions and lockdowns that would otherwise be necessary to combat the COVID-19 fourth wave and protect the province’s hospital and critical care capacities.
As per the news release, 76.2 per cent of Manitobans age 12 and up have received two doses of vaccine, and 81.7 per cent have received at least one dose as of August 27th.
Manitoba also requires all provincial employees who work with vulnerable populations to be fully immunized for COVID-19 by Oct. 31, or undergo regular testing or submit to testing up to three times per week.
British Columbia and Quebec are also implementing vaccine passports.
