Manitobans will now be able to gather in larger numbers for worship gatherings, as well as other events.

New public health orders announced last week are now in place as of Tuesday, Feb. 8, and are in place for two weeks.

"This is a very modest loosening of these restrictions," Dr. Brent Roussin, the chief public health officer for Manitoba, said in a press conference last Wednesday with Premier Heather Stefanson.

New worship gathering restrictions

Indoors

Faith gatherings are permitted the largest indoor gathering sizes in Manitoba for people without proof of vaccination.

If proof of being fully vaccinated is not required, indoor services can have a maximum of 25 per cent capacity or 250 people.

If proof of vaccination is required, a 50 per cent capacity maximum is required, without a total person capacity limit.

Cohorts are not required in either instance. 

Outdoors

If proof of vaccination is not required, outdoor faith gatherings have a maximum of 50 per cent capacity of the outdoor location's limit.

If proof of full vaccination is required, there is a 50 per cent capacity maximum for the usual capacity limit of the space.

Other changes in effect

A number of other restrictions are now taking place for capacity limits at a variety of locations.

Indoor gatherings on private property

Old order
Private indoor gatherings are limited to 10 additional people plus the household if all are fully vaccinated (youth under the age of 12 are exempt). Private indoor gatherings are limited to five additional people plus the household if any of the individuals are eligible but unvaccinated (youth under the age of 12 are exempt).

Current order
Private indoor gatherings are limited to 25 additional people plus the household if all are fully vaccinated (youth under the age of 12 are exempt). Private indoor gatherings are limited to 10 additional people plus the household if any of the individuals are eligible but unvaccinated (youth under the age of 12 are exempt).

 

Outdoor gatherings on private property

Old order
Outdoor gatherings at a private residence are limited to 20 additional people plus the household if all are fully vaccinated (youth under the age of 12 are exempt). Private outdoor gatherings are limited to 10 additional people plus the household if any of the individuals are eligible but unvaccinated (youth under the age of 12 are exempt).

Current order
Outdoor gatherings at a private residence are limited to 50 additional people plus the household if all are fully vaccinated (youth under the age of 12 are exempt). Private outdoor gatherings are limited to 20 additional people plus the household if any of the individuals are eligible but unvaccinated (youth under the age of 12 are exempt).

 

Restaurants, licensed premises and food courts

Old order
Proof of vaccination is required for those 12 years of age and older. Individuals are required to wear masks but are not required to provide proof of vaccination to enter for the sole purpose of picking up takeout or delivery orders. Restaurants, licensed premises and food courts are limited to 50 per cent capacity and are limited to seated service only with a maximum of 10 people per table. Restaurants, licensed premises and food courts are limited to 50 per cent capacity or 250 persons, whichever is lesser. Liquor sales must end at 10 pm daily.

Current order
Proof of vaccination is required for those 12 years of age and older. Individuals are required to wear masks but are not required to provide proof of vaccination to enter for the sole purpose of picking up takeout or delivery orders. Restaurants, licensed premises and food courts are limited to 50 per cent capacity and are limited to seated service only with a maximum of 10 people per table. Liquor sales must end at 12 am daily.

 

Gyms and fitness centres

Old order
Capacity limited to 50 per cent or 250 people, whichever is less, with proof of immunization required everywhere.

Current order
Capacity limited to 50 per cent with proof of immunization required everywhere.

 

Casinos, bingo halls and VLTs

Old order
Proof of vaccination is required. Capacity is limited to 50 per cent or 250 people, whichever is less.

Current order
Proof of vaccination is required. Capacity is limited to 50 per cent.

 

Museums and galleries

Old order
Museums operate under the requirement to show proof of vaccination when open to the public as a museum. Capacity limited to 50 per cent or 250 people, whichever is less, with proof of immunization required everywhere.

Current order
Museums operate under the requirement to show proof of vaccination when open to the public as a museum. Capacity limited to 50 per cent with proof of immunization required everywhere.

 

Professional sports or performing arts events

Old order
Limited to 50 per cent capacity or 250 people, whichever is less, with proof of immunization required everywhere.

Current order
Limited to 50 per cent capacity with proof of immunization required everywhere.

 

Movie theatres and concert halls

Old order
Limited to 50 per cent capacity or 250 people, whichever is less, with proof of immunization required everywhere.

Current order
Limited to 50 per cent capacity with proof of immunization required everywhere.

Indoor sports and recreation, including dance, theatre and music schools

Old order
Spectator capacity for indoor sporting and recreation facilities is reduced to 50 percent capacity or 250 people, whichever is less and proof of vaccination is required for those 18 and over. While games and practices can continue, no tournaments will be permitted. Proof of at least one dose of vaccination or a recent (within 72 hours) negative rapid test result will be required for 12- 17 year-olds for indoor and recreational sports. Negative rapid tests need to come from a participating pharmacy as provincial testing sites should only be accessed by symptomatic individuals or those who are required to take a PCR test by public health.

Current order
Spectator capacity for sporting and recreation facilities is reduced to 50 per cent and proof of vaccination is required for those 18 and over. Tournaments are allowed. Proof of at least one dose of vaccination or a recent (within 72 hours) negative rapid test result will be required for 12 to 17-year olds for indoor and recreational sports. Negative rapid tests need to be confirmed by a pharmacist or by staff at a nursing station on a First Nation as provincial testing sites should only be accessed by symptomatic individuals or those who are advised to receive testing by public health.

 

Outdoor sports and recreation

Old order
While games and practices can continue, no tournaments will be permitted. Capacity for spectators is limited to 50 per cent or 250 people, whichever is less.

Current order
Games, practices and tournaments permitted. Capacity for spectators is limited to 50 per cent.

 

Retail, markets, garden centres and malls

Old order
Permitting retail capacity at 50 per cent in the Southern Health-Santé Sud health region. This restriction does not apply to the municipalities of Cartier, Headingley, Macdonald, Ritchot (Niverville/Ritchot), St. François Xavier and Taché. Permitting retail capacity at 100 per cent in the InterlakeEastern, Northern, Prairie Mountain Health and Winnipeg capital region, including the municipalities of Cartier, Headingley, Macdonald, Ritchot (Niverville/Ritchot), St. François Xavier and Taché. Physical distancing measures are required. Masks required indoors.

Current order
Retail capacity at 100 per cent throughout Manitoba. Physical distancing measures are required. Masks required indoors.

 

Workplaces

Old order
Open without restrictions. Businesses are required to report two or more positive cases to public health.

Current order
Open without restrictions. No requirement to report cases to public health.

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With files from Taylor Brock and Shannon Dueck.