Premier Heather Stefanson and Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin will be updating the public on the new health orders at 12:30 p.m.
The current health orders, which were extended for one week, expire on Tuesday at midnight. The new orders, being announced Wednesday, will replace them.
Stefanson is hoping to be in a position to relax early all restrictions in the spring.
New order changes:
- Indoor gatherings on private property - 25 additional people plus the household if all are fully vaccinated (youth younger than 12 are excluded). If any of the individuals are eligible but unvaccinated, that limit is 10 people.
- Outdoor gatherings on private property - 50 additional people plus the household if all are fully vaccinated (youth younger than 12 are excluded). If any of the individuals are eligible but unvaccinated, that limit is 20 people plus the household.
- Restaurants, licensed premises and food courts - 50 per cent capacity and are limited to seated service only with a maximum of 10 people per table. Proof of vaccination is in effect for diners. Liquor sales must end at 12 a.m. daily.
- Gyms and fitness centres - 50 per cent with proof of immunization required everywhere
- Casinos, bingo halls and VLTs - Proof of vaccination is required. Capacity is limited to 50 per cent.
- Museums and galleries - 50 per cent capacity with proof of immunization required. Proof of vaccination is required when open to the public as a museum.
- Professional sports or performing arts events - 50 per cent capacity with proof of immunization
- Movie theatres and concert halls - 50 per cent capacity with proof of immunization
- Indoor religious services and Indigenous cultural events - 25 per cent capacity or a total of 250 people, whichever is lower, when proof of vaccination is not required. Services restricted to fully immunized people and those under 12 who are not eligible for the vaccine are limited to 50 per cent capacity.
- Outdoor religious services and Indigenous cultural events - one or more unvaccinated person (if they are 12 years of age or older) restricted to 50 per cent capacity in outdoor locations. Services are restricted to fully immunized people and those under 12 years of age are limited to 50 per cent of the usual capacity of the space.
- Indoor sports and recreation, including dance, theatre and music schools - 50 per cent and proof of vaccination is required for those 18 and over. Tournaments are allowed. Proof of at least one dose of vaccination or a recent (within 72 hours) negative rapid test result will be required for 12 to 17-year-olds for indoor and recreational sports. Negative rapid tests need to be confirmed by a pharmacist or by staff at a nursing station on a First Nation as provincial testing sites should only be accessed by symptomatic individuals or those who are advised to receive testing by public health.
- Outdoor sports and recreation - Games, practices and tournaments permitted. Capacity for spectators is limited to 50 per cent.
- Retail, markets, garden centres and malls - capacity at 100 per cent throughout Manitoba.
All other orders remain in effect.
Business supports
Stefanson says $16.3 million is being made available for businesses and the arts and culture sector. She says these supports will help businesses affected by the health orders.
The Sector Support Program is extended until the end of February, allowing event rentals, catering and photographers to apply.
A second payment will be made, including:
- $6,000 for one to nine employees;
- $12,000 for 10 to 19 employees;
- $18,000 for 20 to 49 employees; and
- $24,000 for 50 or more employees.
On Friday, Roussin and Health Minister Audrey Gordon were optimistic that reopenings could be in Manitoba's near future.
"We see some of this optimism but it's not clear, as of yet, or as clear as we need it to be, and so that's why we're delaying that one week," Roussin said at the time. "If we see more clarity on those indicators, then that's been our approach all along, to loosen restrictions to a point that match the risk."
He told the media that they need one more week to review COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. The official daily COVID-19 case count is slowing, but it does not reflect the at-home rapid tests most Manitobans are taking.
One week ago, there were 711 people currently hospitalized and 51 people in the ICU with COVID-19. On Tuesday, there were 737 people in the hospital and 54 people in intensive care.