The Province of Manitoba is loosening COVID-19 restrictions starting next Tuesday.
Premier Heather Stefanson says this is the first phase of reducing health protocols.
“Effective Tuesday, March 1, the required use of vaccine cards will be eliminated, and effective March 15th, mask requirements, and all other restrictions will be eliminated,” states Stefanson.
Chief medical officer of health Dr. Brent Roussin says they will move to public health recommendations instead of restrictions.
“Looking at the data here we’ve expedited by a week compared to what we’ve had before. These ones were originally going to expire on (February) 22nd, but from what we’re seeing we felt comfortable with moving it to this date.”
Dr. Roussin says they will move to public health recommendations instead of health restrictions.
Here are some of the news restrictions:
Capacity limits will be eliminated in venues such as restaurants, licensed premises, entertainment venues, indoor and outdoor sporting events, and casinos, as well as gatherings at private residences. Capacity limits will be removed for outdoor public gatherings but will be limited to 50 people indoors unless proof of vaccination is required. Young people ages 12 to 17 participating in indoor sports and recreation will no longer be required to provide proof of vaccination or recent testing. There are no changes to retail and personal services.
As of Feb. 15, close contacts of a person who tests positive for COVID-19 will no longer be required to self-isolate. Public health continues to recommend self-isolation for people who live in a household with others who have symptoms or tested positive for COVID-19 but it will no longer be required.
Effective Feb. 15, schools will return to Yellow (Caution) under the Pandemic Response System, which requires cohorts in kindergarten to Grade 6. Masks are required indoors for staff and students but will not be required during physical education classes. Medical masks will be recommended but no longer required for school staff.
Schools will continue to send out community notification letters if public health officials have identified increased transmission or recommended remote learning for a class, cohort, or entire school. The online dashboard will continue to post this information but will no longer include case numbers. Children, school staff, and child-care staff will only be eligible for PCR testing if medically indicated, in line with eligibility criteria for all Manitobans.
The province plans to remove proof of vaccination requirements effective March 1. In some settings, such as personal care homes, shelters, and healthcare facilities, public health officials have continued to work with facilities to notify close contacts. Effective March 8, this will no longer occur. Mask requirements and other restrictions will be lifted effective March 15.
(Photo: Manitoba premier Heather Stefanson)
