Following the announcement by the province that some businesses will be permitted to open as of May 4, 2020, the City of Winnipeg has followed suit and will open some city services.
“Organizational recovery operations will not just be the simple reversal of steps taken during the response phase,” said Jason Shaw, Manager of the City’s Emergency Operations Centre. “Resumption of a closed program, process, or work function needs to be assessed and planned out. We are embarking on a ‘new normal’ where the way we were before COVID-19 may never be quite the same again. While we are beginning to move into recovery operations, we will also need to be ready to respond quickly to any subsequent waves of COVID-19.”
To begin with all City-owned and operated recreation centres, pools, and arenas will remain closed until further notice.
City officials say that they are looking at options to open libraries but do not have a date for when that might happen. For now, libraries will remain closed.
Golf courses owned by the city will begin operations and will follow strict guidelines set out by the province. Kildonan Park, Crescent Drive and Harbour View are set to open on May 4, 2020. Windsor Park will have a delayed opening due to high water levels on the Seine River.
Golfers will be pre-screened by telephone prior to being allowed on the course. motorized carts are limited to one golfer or a maximum of two if they reside in the same household.
Tee times can be booked beginning Friday, May 1, 2020, by calling the golf course directly.
Restaurants can apply to the city for a temporary patio space for the month of May beginning on Friday. Guidelines and a registration form will be posted on the city of Winnipeg website. Temporary patios will no longer be allowed once the province enacts phase two of their Restoring Services Plan.
City-owned play structures, picnic shelters, skate parks, tennis courts, basketball courts, and athletic fields will open but social distancing measures must still be adhered to and groups cannot exceed 10 people.
Winnipeg Transit will move to a reduced schedule, as previously announced, effective Monday, May 4, 2020.
