Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister announced a plan to allow some non-essential businesses to open as early as May 4, 2020.

In the first phase of openings, the province will allow a variety on non-essential health-care and retail businesses to reopen but they will have to follow strict guidelines. Businesses will be required to continue to follow social distancing and enhanced cleaning practices.

“We applaud Manitobans for doing their part to help flatten the curve and it is thanks to everyone’s tremendous efforts that we are able to announce today a gradual, safe restoration of services and easing of restrictions on businesses, allowing many to reopen, should they so choose,” Pallister said. “We must remain diligent in maintaining physical distancing and practising good hygiene, but our gradual, leveled approach will help us safely restore our services.”

Businesses that will be part of the first phase include:

•  non-urgent surgery and diagnostic procedures;
• therapeutic and medical services;
• retail businesses;
• restaurants – patio/walk-up services;
• hair salons;
• museums, galleries and libraries;
• seasonal day camps; and
• outdoor recreation, including golf courses and campgrounds

Under the guidelines for the restoration of services, businesses must limit occupancy to 50 per cent of normal business levels or one person per 10 square metres, whichever is lower.

Public gatherings such as social gatherings, worship, weddings and funerals will continue to be restricted to 10 persons.

Phase two will happen no earlier than June 1, 2020, if the results of phase one are positive and will include the opening of additional personal services, such as nail salons, restaurants – dine-in services, non-contact children’s sports and film production. During phase two the province may increase the permissible size of public gatherings which will allow public gatherings such as social gatherings, worship, weddings and funerals. Social distancing will still have to be maintained.

Future phases may allow some non-essential businesses to fully open while others may begin to reopen such as bars, pools, spas, movie theatres and indoor recreational facilities.

Events that involve large gatherings like concerts, summer festivals and major sporting events will not be considered prior to September 2020.

© News4.ca 2020