More COVID-19 restrictions in Manitoba may be loosening mid-July

If Manitoba continues following a downward trend in COVID-19 cases, the province's top doctor says more reopenings could happen sooner than expected.

Dr. Brent Roussin says he cannot say when more reopenings will for sure happen, but notes it could come as soon as mid-July.

"We are rolling towards a post-pandemic Manitoba but we're not there yet," Roussin says in a Monday-afternoon press conference.

Last week during a press conference, Premier Brian Pallister announced fully vaccinated Manitobans would be able to have more abilities, and that announcement would come early this week. Roussin says Manitobans will need to wait one incubation period before seeing any amendments to the health order. He says according to current vaccination rates and cases, it is looking like Manitoba will reach its Step 2 goal before August.

Different vaccinated abilities sticking around for a short while

There are additional abilities that fully-vaccinated Manitobans can do during this round of health orders, including not having to self-isolate if travelling to Manitoba and dining indoors.

"If we take advantage of the fully vaccinated individuals and the protection that we know that vaccine provides we can do more, earlier. It doesn't mean that's what's going to be (happening) in Manitoba for a long period of time, but it does allow us (to be able to do more) until we reach that post-pandemic Manitoba."

Children who are not eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine due to age will follow their parent's health orders but are still at risk. On the weekend, it was announced that a girl with COVID-19 under the age of 10 from Winnipeg had died. Roussin is asking parents to be cautious and to get vaccinated. Severe outcomes in children remain rare.

He recommends families socialize with other vaccinated people to reduce the risk for their children.

Fourth wave

Roussin is expecting a "resurgence" of respiratory viruses in the fall alongside COVID-19. By this time, it is anticipated that 80 per cent of all Manitobans over the age of 12 will have received their first vaccine, and 75 per cent their second. As of Monday morning, 72.9 per cent have received their first dose, and 38 per cent their second dose. 

When a fourth wave comes, Roussin is hoping Public Health is in a position to give advice, not restrictions.

The doctor says a post-pandemic Manitoba is not a post-COVID Manitoba, noting that Manitoba will continue to see cases.