Beginning this weekend retailers will no longer be forced to close at 6:00 pm on Sundays and certain statutory holidays.

The Retail Business Hours Operation Act eliminates retail shopping hour restrictions although at the same time it also allows municipalities to pass bylaws to keep some of the restrictions in place.

“Given the current public health restrictions in place to protect Manitobans, we want to provide flexibility to businesses and customers and allow more opportunity for curbside pickup and delivery options as well as longer in-person shopping hours to minimize crowds,” said Finance Minster Scott Fieldingg. “During this critical time for retailers across the province, we believe these updated laws will help many businesses with additional revenues as we head into the holiday season.”

Many businesses across the province have been asking the province for years to allow extended hours on Sundays and holidays. Manitoba was the last holdout in Western Canada that maintained restricted retail business hours.

One holiday that will maintain shopping hour restrictions across the province is Remembrance Day. The province says on that day the current restrictions will remain in place limiting opening hours.

© News4.ca 2020