Manitoba announced on Thursday, November 19, 2020, that tighter COVID-19 public health orders will come into force at 12:01 am Friday.

The new restrictions are designed limit the amount of people out and about in the province and focus on gathering sizes and non-essential shopping.

“Too many Manitobans are gathering or shopping for non-essential purposes and creating a greater risk to public health,” said Premier Brian Pallister. “We are now at a point where even tighter restrictions are needed to significantly limit social contact in order to protect one another.”

Over the past weekend many big box businesses stayed open because some of the items they sell are essential items but they also continued to sell non-essential items as well. Retailers that did not sell essential items were forced to close under restrictions that came into place on Thursday November 12.

Shoppers flocked to the stores ignoring the spirit of the public health orders.

“I can’t stress enough that Manitobans need to stay home in order to protect themselves and their loved ones, and halt the spread of this deadly virus,” said Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba’s chief provincial public health officer. “These new restrictions will help limit social contacts and the opportunity and motivation for Manitobans to leave their homes for non-essential purposes.”

Under the new tighter restrictions retailers will be limited to only sell essential items in person at the store but can sell any item online for home delivery or curb-side pickup.

Retail businesses that are permitted to remain open will be limited to 25 per cent of their usual capacity or 250 people, whichever is less and must ensure physical distancing. Businesses will be required to provide proof that capacity limits have not been exceeded if ask to by an enforcement officer said officials.

The province lists essential items as:

• food, beverages and food preparation products;
• personalcare products such as soap and dental care products;
• health-related products such as prescription drugs and vitamins;
• mobility or assistive devices;baby and child-care accessories such as diapers and formula;
• household cleaning products, safety devices, batteries and lightbulbs;
• outdoor winter apparel such as jackets and boots;
• personal protective equipment for the workplace;
• pet food and supplies;
• postage stamps;
• cellphonesand cellphone accessories;
• parts and supplies for all types of motor vehicles and watercraft;
• major household appliances;
• hunting, fishing and trapping supplies;
• tools and hardware;
• materials for home maintenance, repair or construction; and
• property maintenance products such as shovels

Under the public health order non-essential items are any good and product not listed in the order including jewelry, flowers, perfume, consumer electronics. sporting equipment, books and toys.

Gathering sizes have also been restricted in all public indoor and outdoor areas to no more than five people. This includes common areas of multi-unit residences. Health-care facilities and critical businesses that adhere to health protection measures are exempt under the orders. Public health says the exception has been put in place to allow for weddings, funerals and baptisms to take place with a capacity limit of five people.

Gatherings in private residences such as a home, cottage or vacation property will be limited to the that live there. There are some exceptions allowed for child-care, health-care and home care services, tutoring services, construction or repairs, or to respond to emergencies. 

People who live alone will be permitted to have one other person visit their home.

On Wednesday the province also introduced an additional fine that can be levied for not wearing masks or improperly wearing masks in indoor places that are under public health orders. The was set at $298.

Previously the province updated individual fines to $1,296 and business fines to $5,000 for those who are not following public health orders.

Today public health announced eight additional deaths and 475 new cases of COVID-19 in the province.

© News4.ca 2020