This story will be updated when the press conference begins and throughout the conference as it runs.
Manitobans looking to catch a movie at a theatre, grab a drink on a patio, or take in a sporting event or concert are going to need to show proof of full immunization against COVID-19 under new public health orders announced Friday.
The new orders go into effect Sept. 3 and will see a number of businesses, services, and events put out of reach for those who haven’t gotten two shots of vaccine.
Ensuring that people are fully immunized before attending higher-risk events, activities and services will help reduce community spread of the virus, said Manitoba’s chief public health officer, Dr. Brent Roussin in a release.
Read more:
COVID-19: Manitoba brings back mask mandate, requires vaccination for some government employees
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Already, we are seeing more of the newly identified cases are in people who have not yet been immunized, and we need to take these steps to protect them, others in their communities and the health-care system from the effects of the delta variant.
On Tuesday Roussin announced changes to current health orders to both bring back a mask mandate in indoor public spaces — including schools — and force all front-line provincial employees who work with vulnerable populations to be fully vaccinated or face regular testing.
On Friday he said the mask mandate will go into effect starting Saturday morning.
Roussin said the new requirements for people to be fully immunized to participate in certain events and activities will be in effect in all of Manitoba’s health regions and will include:
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- indoor and outdoor ticketed sporting events and concerts;
- indoor theatre/dance/symphony events;
- restaurants (indoor and patio dining);
- nightclubs and all other licensed premises;
- casinos, bingo halls and VLT lounges;
- movie theatres;
- fitness centres, gyms and indoor sporting and recreational facilities (excluding youth recreational sport); and
- organized indoor group recreational classes and activities, and indoor recreational businesses.
Children under 11, who aren’t yet able to be vaccinated, will be allowed to attend events and activities with a fully-immunized adult, Roussin said.
Workers affected by the new requirement to be vaccinated will include doctors, nurses, teachers, early childhood educators and prison guards. Government employees, including members of the legislature, will also be required to have their shots.
Manitoba Expands Vaccine Passports for Fully Immunized Individuals as of Sept. 3 https://t.co/LF7xpTJhh3pic.twitter.com/NICpvwJxzs
— Manitoba Gov News (@MBGovNews) August 27, 2021
They will have to be fully immunized by Oct. 31 or undergo regular COVID-19 tests, up to three times a week for full-time employees. Proof of a negative test result will be required before the employees are allowed to resume working.
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The changes come as health officials predict a fourth pandemic wave in the province is inevitable.
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New modelling released later in the day Tuesday shows COVID-19 could overwhelm the acute-care system within two months after the fourth wave arrives in Manitoba.
Dr. Jazz Atwal, deputy chief provincial public health officer, said without higher levels of immunizations and more restrictions, intensive care units could be overwhelmed again.
It could be made worse if cases surge during the annual flu season, he added.
The Delta variant is already causing a significant increase in cases throughout Western Canada in provinces that loosened restrictions earlier than Manitoba, where changes to health orders Aug. 5 included the removal of the mask mandate now set to return.
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Read more:
‘We’ve done this before’: Manitoba virologist says fourth wave will be different
On Wednesday Manitoba reported 105 new COVID-19 cases, the highest one-day jump in infections since late June.
There were 31 new COVID-19 cases reported in Manitoba Friday and the five-day test positivity rate is 2.8 per cent
–More to come.
Questions about COVID-19? Here are some things you need to know:
Symptoms can include fever, cough and difficulty breathing very similar to a cold or flu. Some people can develop a more severe illness. People most at risk of this include older adults and people with severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease. If you develop symptoms, contact public health authorities.
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To prevent the virus from spreading, experts recommend frequent handwashing and coughing into your sleeve. They also recommend minimizing contact with others, staying home as much as possible and maintaining a distance of two metres from other people if you go out. In situations where you can’t keep a safe distance from others, public health officials recommend the use of a non-medical face mask or covering to prevent spreading the respiratory droplets that can carry the virus. In some provinces and municipalities across the country, masks or face coverings are now mandatory in indoor public spaces.
For full COVID-19 coverage from Global News, visit our coronavirus page.
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