Effective Monday, September 28, 2020, the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region is in the Restricted Pandemic Response Level (Orange). Community transmission of COVID-19 is occurring across much of the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region. New clusters are occurring, but can be controlled through self-isolation, testing, and contact tracing so they do not spread further. The health care system is currently able to manage COVID-19 case levels, however changes in restrictions and behaviours are required to prevent further level changes.
“We encourage all Manitobans to step up once again to help reduce the transmission of COVID-19,” says Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba’s Chief Provincial Public Health Officer. “Winnipeg residents have done it before, and we know based on our experience with the Prairie Mountain Health region, that these stricter measures work, and they can work quickly.”
The Winnipeg Metropolitan Region includes the City of Winnipeg and the following rural municipalities in other health regions:
- Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority: City of Selkirk, Town of Stonewall, RM of Rockwood, RM of Rosser, RM of Springfield, RM of St. Andrews, RM of St. Clements (including Birds Hill Provincial Park), RM of West St. Paul, RM of East St. Paul and the Village of Dunnottar.
- Southern Health – Santé Sud – Rural Municipality (RM) of Cartier, RM of Headingley, RM of Macdonald, RM of Ritchot, RM of St. François Xavier, RM of Taché and the Town of Niverville.
To help our members understand the protocols of the Pandemic Response System, the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce has prepared a variety of helpful guides:
To help our Winnipeg Metropolitan Region members understand the changes resulting from the transition from Yellow to Orange, we have created the following summary:
- Wear a mask in all indoor public places.
- Limit gatherings to a maximum of 10 people indoors and outdoors.
- Dr. Roussin shared during his September 28 presser that with respect to private gatherings, 10 people does NOT include those family members residing in the household.
- Public Health is working with the restaurant and hospitality industry to put everything on the table with respect to added protection measures. “Staff and patrons are required to wear masks now, which will make a significant difference, but we are conducting consultations with these industries to be creative and innovative. For instance, we know that loud music encourages loud talking and close proximity, so maybe a decibel maximum is something we could look at.”
- Team sports: “Guidance for team sports has been out for quite some time, and the Restricted level doesn’t change those. We can’t have an activity with zero risk, so it’s up to organizations to determine if they can implement our guidelines safely.”
- Stay home when sick.
- Click here to access Shared Health’s COVID-19 Screening Tool.
- Public health officials strongly urge anyone who has cold or flu-like symptoms, such as a cough, fever, runny nose, sore throat, headache, or any of the symptoms listed in the screening tool to isolate and get tested for COVID-19. Click here to find out why it’s important to get tested, access testing tips, and where to go to be tested in Manitoba. Unless recommended by public health officials, only individuals experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should go for testing.
- If you get tested for COVID-19, you should continue to isolate until you have your test results, and you will receive further instructions on isolation at that time. If you choose to not get tested, you will need to isolate for at least 10 days, and until you no longer have fever for 24 hours and your other symptoms have resolved. If you have travelled or been exposed to a case, you should continue to self-isolate (quarantine) for the remainder of the 14-day period.
- Practice social distancing, hand washing/sanitizing, and cough etiquette.
- Physical distancing is used to intentionally reduce close contact between people to try to stop the progression of community transmission of any virus.
- Physical distancing strategies for all Manitobans include cancelling or postponing any large-scale events; minimizing prolonged (more than 15 minutes), close (less than two metres) contact between other individuals in public; avoiding greetings that involve touching such as handshakes; disinfecting frequently used surfaces; following public health advice related to self-isolation (quarantine) if you have travelled or have been exposed to someone ill with the virus; and considering avoiding travel, crowded places and events especially if you are at higher risk.
- Wash your hands frequently. Click here to access a poster from the Public Health Agency of Canada on proper hand-washing.
- Follow public health guidance on travel and self-isolation.
- Click here to access Manitoba Public Health’s Fact Sheet “Isolation for Symptomatic Individuals Recovering at Home.”
- Public health officials require the following returning travelers to self-isolate (quarantine) and self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days after returning to Manitoba: those who have returned from international travel including to the United States in the last 14 days, and those who have returned from domestic travel in the last 14 days to a location that is not excluded by current provincial Public Health Order from the requirement to self-isolate (Public Health Orders currently exclude locations in: Western Canada, the territories, and Ontario – west of Terrace Bay);
- Vulnerable people, such as seniors, are encouraged to exercise additional caution.
To view information about declared outbreaks and potential exposures, visit: https://manitoba.ca/covid19/restartmb/prs/winnipeg/index.html
