What 'Orange: Restricted' means for churches in WPG and surrounding areas

Churches in Winnipeg and surrounding areas might be adjusting their seating arrangements with new COVID-19 restrictions.

As the City of Winnipeg and many surrounding communities move from Yellow to Orange: Restricted, many changes are taking place for the general public including a mask mandate.

Gathering sizes are being changed from a maximum of 50 people to 10 people. This includes weddings and funerals. 

Dr. Brent Roussin says the move to Orange effects churches to a "very limited" extent.

"Right now (churches) are at a 30 per cent capacity, so that will remain."

Churches can operate in person with a maximum of 500 people in total if under 30 per cent capacity. 

"There were a few faith-based organizations that preferred to have a cohort approach."

The cohort approach saw groups of 50 people in one assigned area following the province's 50 people gathering size maximum. Today's announcement changes the group sizes. 

"This would change it because that would be down to groups of ten."

The new regulations will take being on Monday and last for four weeks.

Areas in cluded in the new regulations include the:

• City of Winnipeg; 
• City of Selkirk; 
• Town of Stonewall; 
• RM of Cartier; 
• RM of Headingly; 
• RM of Macdonald; 
• RM of Ritchot; 
• RM of Rockwood; 
• RM of Rosser;
• RM of Springfield; 
• RM of St. Andrews; 
• RM of St. Clements; 
• RM St. Francois-Xavier;  
• RM of Tache; 
• RM of West St. Paul; 
• RM of East St. Paul;
• Town of Niverville; and
• Village of Dunnottar.

Steinbach is not included.