Last week, the Manitoba government announced new measures to enable businesses, services, and events to operate without capacity limits or public health restrictions, while requiring guests to demonstrate full immunization when frequenting these facilities and participating in certain activities. In addition, mask use, which had been ‘strongly recommended in indoor public spaces’ when the Province rolled out the August 7 public health orders, is now mandatory in all public spaces (as of Saturday, August 28).
These new requirements are an effort to avert the need for more stringent public health restrictions and lockdowns amid the highly-transmissible Delta variant. The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce supports our provincial public health team in the implementation of these measures and the expansion of the “vaccine passport.” These actions mean that businesses can remain open and people can remain employed, while creating safe environments in consumer establishments throughout the province, and curbing community spread.
The requirement for proof of vaccination will come in to effect by public health order on September 3 for all health regions, and will include the following facilities, activities, and events:
- indoor and outdoor ticketed sporting events and concerts;
- indoor theatre/dance/symphony events;
- restaurants (indoor and patio dining);
- nightclubs and all other licensed premises;
- casinos, bingo halls and VLT lounges;
- movie theatres;
- fitness centres, gyms and indoor sporting and recreational facilities (excluding youth recreational sport); and
- organized indoor group recreational classes and activities, and indoor recreational businesses.
Children 11 and under who are not eligible to be immunized will be able to attend events and activities with a fully immunized adult.
The majority of Manitobans (more than 76 percent of eligible residents over the age of 12) is already fully vaccinated, and forcing businesses to close for a fourth time in 18 months is a situation we desperately need to avoid at all costs.
Our hope is that by taking proactive measures, following the advice of public health professionals, and encouraging even more Manitobans to be vaccinated, we can limit the economic and emotional impact of the fourth wave. Our business community members have stepped up to meet every challenge that the COVID-19 pandemic has put before them, and I am confident that Manitoba’s entrepreneurs and leaders will do so again.
To view the current Public Health orders, click here.
