Here are some of the highlights regarding the changing guidelines:
PUBLIC GATHERINGS: Indoor gathering limits are increased to up to 50 and outdoor gathering limits are increased to up to 100 people, where members of the public are reasonably able to maintain a separation of at least two metres from others, except for brief exchanges. This change applies to social gatherings, worship, weddings and funerals, as well as pow wows and other Indigenous cultural and spiritual events. These gatherings must follow public health guidelines for the venue where they are being held. Larger group sizes are allowed where distinct groups of 50 or 100 can be separated to prevent contact with other groups.
- Indoor gatherings are permitted with a maximum group size of 30 per cent of the site’s capacity provided the group can be physically divided into sub-groups of 50 or fewer. Each sub-group must be able to arrive, depart and participate in the gathering without co-mingling with members from any other sub-group. Adequate physical distancing must continue to be provided for all participants.
- Larger outdoor gatherings are permitted, provided the gathering can be physically divided into sub-groups of 100 or fewer and are limited to 30 per cent of the site’s usual capacity. While some outdoor venues may have defined capacity, others may require the use of reasonableness or 30 per cent of prior capacity at an event. Each sub-group must be able to arrive, depart and participate in the gathering without co-mingling with members from any other sub-group. Adequate physical distancing must continue to be provided for all participants.
PUBLIC GATHERINGS: FAITH-BASED AND OTHER CULTURAL GATHERINGS: Larger group sizes are allowed where distinct groups of 50 or 100 can be separated to prevent contact with other groups.
Guidelines for faith-based gatherings are available here. Guidelines for vocalists and instrumentalists are available. Specific guidelines have been developed in collaboration with the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak to ensure physical distancing is followed for drum groups, dancers and singers that are integral to these gatherings.
SELF-ISOLATION FOR MANITOBANS RETURNING TO AND DOMESTIC TRAVELLERS ENTERING MANITOBA: Anyone entering Manitoba from designated western Canadian jurisdictions (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and the Yukon, Northwest and Nunavut territories) or Northwestern Ontario (defined as west of Terrace Bay) is not required to self-isolate for 14 days if they are asymptomatic and have no known exposure to COVID-19. Travellers from all other Canadian jurisdictions will need to continue to self-isolate for 14 days after arriving in Manitoba. Anyone entering Canada must continue to follow federal requirements for self-isolation at the time of entry.
PROFESSIONAL SPORTS TEAMS: People employed by or affiliated with a professional sports team may enter Manitoba without self-isolating for 14 days if they have self-isolated for 14 days before arriving in Manitoba and follow appropriate hygiene measures while travelling.
CHILDCARE SERVICES: Centres can return to their regular licensed capacity, provided that measures can be taken to comply with guidelines that are being revised to address the increased group sizes through consultation with public health officials and key providers. This will include consideration of adjustments to current guidelines for use of communal space and drop off and pick up of children.
Families who have accessed a child care space under the temporary child care program as a critical service worker or as part of the re-opening of the economy will continue to have access to their current space until August 31, 2020, at which time they will be asked to be find alternate arrangements.
DAY CAMPS: Day camps may continue to operate and the maximum number of children per group is increased to 50. Where possible, camps should maintain occupancy and design activities to allow children and staff to maintain a physical distance of at least two metres, except for brief exchanges. Choirs, band camps or musical theatre activities will not be allowed, due to a higher risk of transmission through singing as compared to speaking. Overnight camps are not permitted in Phase 3.
K-12 SCHOOLS: Actively planning for the fall. Classroom learning remains suspended for the remainder of this school year. However, schools are now open for staff and specific programs, provided students and staff maintain physical distancing. Summer school and day camp programming is also permitted.
POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS AND VOCATIONAL COLLEGES: Actively planning for the fall. Post-secondary institutions and vocational colleges may provide learning in settings where learning and/or research requires hands-on experience. Examples may include, but are not limited to, laboratories, studios, trades instructions and practicums. Facilities may plan to fully open by the fall with different strategies such as more video-based learning to reduce class sizes to ensure they are able to maintain physical distancing. Institutions will make decisions on the actual level of in-person, on-campus activity based on their unique layout and plans.
PERMANENT OUTDOOR AMUSEMENT PARKS: Permanent outdoor amusement parks (mechanical rides, mini-golf, climbing apparatus and other similar structures) may operate provided access can be controlled and physical distancing of two metres/six feet can be maintained except for brief exchanges. Site capacity should be at 50 per cent of the site’s usual capacity. Temporary or travelling amusement parks including that are usually set up at shopping malls or community fairs are not permitted in Phase 3.
OUTDOOR RECREATION FACILITIES AND GOLF COURSES: The capacity of golf carts is increased. A maximum of four golfers per group is allowed and two people per golf cart. Two persons are allowed in small fishing boats and pleasure craft. If individuals are from the same household, those individuals and one additional person can be allowed.
TRAVEL TO NORTHERN PARKS, CAMPGROUNDS, CABINS, LODGES AND RESORTS: Anyone entering Manitoba from western Canadian jurisdictions (British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan, and the Yukon, Northwest and Nunavut territories) and Northwestern Ontario (west of Terrace Bay) is allowed to travel directly to parks, campgrounds, cabins, lodges and resorts north of the 53rd parallel from within Manitoba.
Anyone travelling to northern Manitoba must continue to respect any restrictions that have been put in place by local communities and First Nations.
COMMUNITY/SERVICE CENTRES: Community centres and other multi-purpose facilities such as arenas and town halls can have up to 50 people per site, except where discrete groups of 50 can be separated to prevent contact with other groups through the use of separate exits and/or staggered drop off schedules and monitoring the facility to avoid congestion and inter-mingling of groups in common areas.
The maximum size of gatherings with sub groups should not exceed 30 per cent of the site’s capacity to a maximum of 300.
SENIORS’ CENTRES/CLUBS: Seniors are at increased risk of more serious complications from COVID-19 disease. Where group activities are necessary, consider further limiting group sizes from the allowed limit of 50 people indoors, to 25 people or one person per 10 square metres, whichever is fewer to further reduce the exposure of seniors to a large number of individuals.
FILM PRODUCTION: People employed by or affiliated with a film production (cast members, crew members and others employed by or affiliated with a film production) may visit Manitoba for work without self-isolating for 14 days if they have self-isolated for 14 days before arriving in Manitoba, are asymptomatic, and have no known exposure to COVID-19.
Anyone entering Canada must continue to follow federal requirements for self-isolation at the time of entry.
RETAIL BUSINESSES: Retail businesses may now operate at 100% occupancy. These businesses must continue to ensure that members of the public are reasonably able to maintain a separation of at least two metres from others, except for brief exchanges.
RESTAURANTS, BARS, BEVERAGE ROOMS, BREW PUBS, MICROBREWERIES AND DISTILLERIES: These businesses may fully operate (100% occupancy) if they implement measures to ensure that members of the public are reasonably able to maintain a separation of at least two metres from others, except for brief exchanges.These businesses may fully reopen patios and indoor spaces as long as tables and seating are arranged so there is a permanent or temporary physical barrier or a two-metre separation between persons sitting at different tables. Restaurants must implement measures to ensure that members of the public when not seated are reasonably able to maintain a separation of at least two metres from others, except for brief exchanges. Bars, beverage rooms, micro-brewers and similar businesses must continue to implement measures to ensure that members of the public are seated at a table, and are reasonably able to maintain a separation of at least two metres from others, except for brief exchanges. Standing service is not allowed.
Dance floors are to remain closed.
THERAPEUTIC OR HEALTH CARE BUSINESSES: Occupancy limits of 50 per cent of normal business levels or one person per 10 square metres can be lifted for regulated and non-regulated health professions, including registered massage therapists.Service providers must continue to implement measures to ensure that members of the public are reasonably able to maintain a separation of at least two metres from others, except for brief exchanges.
INDOOR RECREATION, INCLUDING ALL NON-SMOKING SITES WITH VLT LOUNGES, BINGO HALLS, BILLIARD ROOMS, AND OTHER INDOOR AMUSEMENT CENTRES: Activities must enable patrons to maintain a distance of at least two metres, except for brief exchanges. All businesses will be required to limit occupancy to 50 per cent of normal business levels and limit congregation of groups. Sitting or standing at counters is not allowed unless a two-metre separation between groups can be maintained. Surfaces such as terminals, game equipment, tables, chairs and booths must be cleaned and sanitized between customers.
Phase 3 does not include any opening of casinos, movie theatres, or overnight camps. It’s also important to note that there will be no large gatherings or events until at least September 2020.
