Mayor Brian Bowman is creating a COVID-19 Business Task Force to focus on the impacts that COVID-19 is having on local businesses. 

Bowman reached out to the public during today's press conference to tell residents that "we are all in this together."

A COVID-19 Business Task Force is being formed with leaders from local "small, medium and large-sized businesses" to determine the best ways to face new challenges being brought by the pandemic.

Many businesses across the city are being affected by the province's State of Emergency.

Bowman says Winnipeggers have a history of "putting humanity first when facing a global pandemic" and his team will assess measures that could be taken to assist businesses, including the possible deferment of property taxes and business taxes. 

Additionally, Bowman and Jason Shaw, the manager of the City of Winnipeg's Emergency Operations Centre, are asking residents to follow public health orders set out by the province.

"This is about communication and making sure people feel safe," Shaw says about changes being made each day in response to COVID-19 concerns. 

Bowman adds that the city is working with the province and trying to support their efforts while keeping businesses in mind.