The province's latest reopening plan is being put in effect, starting Friday.

Manitoba is remaining at Critical: Red on the Pandemic Response System but there will be changes to the Public Health Orders.

"Our number one priority in the face of this pandemic and always is protecting the health and welling being of all Manitobans," Premier Brian Pallister says.

pall"Hope is in the air, so embrace it," Premier Brian Pallister says in a Tuesday morning press conference. (Screenshot: Government of Manitoba/YouTube)

Manitobans will be seeing changes to a wide spectrum of things, including indoor gatherings.

Proposed changes would go into effect on Friday at midnight and last until March 25. 

 

Worship spaces

Regular worship spaces will be reopening at a maximum of 25 per cent, or 100 person maximum. Additional programing such as Bible classes continue to not be permitted to occur in person.

Drive-In and streamed services are allowed.

Those gathering must physically distance and can only sit in groups with their households. COVID-19 fundamentals are expected to be followed.

Dr. Brent Roussin says things like singing during service or hosting non-regular activities, such as religious classes, will be allowed in the future but is watching COVID-19 case numbers in the meantime. He says vaccine uptake will be important for allowing these reopenings in the future.

 

Gatherings

Households will be able to choose between continuing to having two designated visitors to their homes, or instead, having one designated household to visit between both households.

Outdoor gathering sizes are increasing to 10 people. This includes non-organized sports and recreation.

As Spring Break and Easter approaches, Premier Brian Pallister says "we are going to have to remember the lessons of the fall" where increased gatherings sizes saw increased cases. Roussin adds that last year, there was a lot of travel during spring break, increasing the risk of transmission. This year, nonessential travel is discouraged.

 

Fitness

Outdoor non-organized sport and recreation activities can have up to 10 people gather together.

Gyms,  rinks, courts, fields, ranges, studios, clubs, pools, and other indoor recreation facilities can open at 25 per cent. Spectators will be allowed. Common areas and locker rooms will reopen, all at a 25 per cent maximum capacity.

The only difference between the proposed changes from last week is masks must be worn while exercising, with the exception of pools.

Other indoor recreation activities will be permitted at a 25 per cent capacity, including children's day camps. 

Non-professional dance and theatre classes can open for individual instruction or groups classes, with a maximum of 25 per cent.

 

Businesses

The Premier is hoping to avoid a "yo-yoing" of business reopenings. He does not want to see then need to close again because of COVID-19 cases.

All businesses, excluding indoor theatres, indoor concert halls, casinos and bingo halls, will be allowed to reopen.

There will be a 50 per cent capacity limit at retail and personal service locations, at a 250 person maximum capacity.

Restaurants can reopen at 50 per cent. Those dining in-person must only sit with household members.

Professional theatre groups, dance companies, symphonies and operas can have in-person rehearsals if they are closed to the public.

Arcades, go-kart tracks and children’s facilities can reopen at 25 per cent with distancing.

Music facilities can reopen for lessons both individually or for group classes with a maximum of 25 per cent capacity. 

 

All reopening plans require people to continue to follow the COVID-19 fundamentals, including two-meter distancing from non-household members. Roussin says to stay home if feeling ill.