Bowman calling on residents to do their part during the pandemic

Mayor Brian Bowman is asking Winnipeggers to continue to support their community as restrictions tighten. 

As cases climb, Bowman and Jason Shaw, Manager of City of Winnipeg Emergency Operations Centre, are following the current health orders. They say that Winnipeggers know how to care for each other and need to do it again.

"Winnipeg knows how to weather a storm," Bowman says.

Bowman says he has seen anti-mask protests take place on the steps of City Hall. He says while they have a right to protest, he disagrees with the substance of the demonstrations. He says he has a simple message for Winnipeggers.

"Wear a friggin' mask."

He is asking people to care for others by wearing a mask.

Bowman says that the new restrictions starting Monday will affect local businesses and is asking Winnipeggers to continue to support local. He says the better we follow the guidelines from governing officials and get the test positivity rate down, the better the changes restrictions will lower and businesses can go back to a normal.

"It will impact the health of businesses."

Shaw is asking for all attendees in Winnipeg hockey facilities to follow new procedures starting Monday:

• changerooms will be closed before ice rental time
• arenas will close for 15 minutes between rental times for sanitizing
• changerooms will be open for a limited time after the ice rental period

The also reminds Winnipeggers that masks are required all city facilities

"What we are seeing is passionate hockey spectators," Shaw says.

The passionate spectators, however, will be required to distance themselves as the spectator volumes will lower along to a maximum capacity of 25 per cent.

Winnipeg is taking additional steps to reduce the spread of CVODI-19 in Winnipeg. As of Monday, in-home, non-emergency inspections from the City of Winnipeg will be suspended until further notice.

"Those who have scheduled inspections or appointments will be contacted in the coming days, and presented with alternative means to conduct their inspection, if possible. For individuals who prefer an in-person inspection, appointments will be rescheduled to a later date," the City says in a statement.

The city says the following services will be paused:

Assessment & Taxation

All interior residential property inspections are suspended, and inspections will be completed through photos or via phone until further notice.

By-Law Enforcement Services

All interior residential property inspections are suspended, and inspections (where possible) will be completed through photos or via phone until further notice.

Planning, Property & Development

All in-home inspection appointments will be conducted virtually until further notice. Inspections of unoccupied homes will continue, as will on-site inspections for urgent situations.

Water and Waste

In-home visits for emergency utility services will continue; however, water meter reading and inspections, as well as water meter returns, removals, and replacements are suspended until further notice. Customers are reminded that they are responsible for providing regular water meter readings to avoid estimated bills.