Premier Brian Pallister said Monday, November 2, 2020, that the province will be increasing enforcement against those who are ignoring COVID-19 restrictions across Manitoba.
“The growing number of COVID-19 cases in our province is concerning and demonstrates that we need to reinforce the work we’ve already done together by strengthening our collective efforts to fight this virus,” said Pallister. “Our government is committed to protecting Manitobans and will continue to demonstrate that as we add to the measures already taken.”
In a briefing on COVID-19 measures the province has already put in place the premier said that his government is seriously considering implementing a curfew to help battle the spread of the virus.
“We’re giving serious consideration to implementing a curfew,” said Pallister. ” A curfew that would be designed to restrict travel between key hours when gathering sizes tend to be dangerously in excess of the rules.”
The premier invited Manitobans to provide the government feedback on the concept of a curfew by visiting the Engage website
In October the province increased personal fines to $1,296 and business fines to $5,000 for those who are not following Manitoba’s public health and emergency orders.
Although the province has added to the list of agencies that has the power to enforce restrictions the premier note that few tickets have actually been issued.
“We have stepped up enforcement but not enough, clearly not enough.” said Pallister. “We’re in a situation where enforcement is not keeping up to the need for enforcement. We had several hundred calls from great Manitobans alerting us to situations, principally group gatherings last week, we had three tickets given out. That’s not acceptable.”
© News4.ca 2020
