On Friday April 17, 2020 the Manitoba government announced they are investing $300 million to support COVID-19 efforts in the province.

Central Services Minister Reg Helwer said the investment will support planning, prevention and mitigation efforts. It will allow the province to secure supplies and resources needed to deliver care.

“Our government has already fast-tracked $100 million in response to the outbreak of COVID-19 through our Manitoba Protection Plan,” said Helwer. “Today, we’re quadrupling our commitment to $400 million for the COVID-19 Procurement Fund to ensure our plan is effective and that we can continue to be proactive in the steps we take to protect Manitobans during this pandemic.”

Funds are being used for purposes such as:
•    purchasing significant amounts of essential medical supplies and equipment, including personal protective equipment;
•    developing hotel capacity for those requiring isolation; 
•    preparing for large-scale low acuity medical overflow for hospitals;
•    supporting the local, made-in-Manitoba production of gowns, scrubs, gloves and other medical equipment including an RFP to award $15 million of production to Manitoba-designed reusable silicone N95 masks;
•    providing training and grants to child-care experts to become entrepreneurs by opening their own small-scale daycares;
•    establishing a COVID-19 research fund through Research Manitoba; 
•    providing a new digital online service for mental health support; 
•    creating https://helpnextdoormb.ca/ to link Manitobans needing help with volunteers; 
•    engaging local call centre, 24-7 Intouch, to contact Manitobans to drive awareness of government support programs to small businesses, charities and not-for-profits; and 
•    opening multiple provincewide testing sites to bolster the response to this health crisis.

© News4.ca 2020