Manitoba has taken steps to ease some of the restrictions made during the COVID-19 pandemic. Going forward, the province plans on making decisions to ease public health measures and slowly introduce processes and services that address the “new normal.”
Each phase will require a period of a minimum of three to four weeks to observe the results of the previous phase and make decisions concerning the next steps.
The construction industry was deemed essential by the province back in March. This included construction work or services in the industrial, commercial, institutional and residential sectors – including demolition services and expanding, renovating, converting or repurposing existing spaces, a business engaged in construction work or services that are required to ensure safe and reliable operations of provincial and municipal infrastructure, a business engaged in construction work or services that support an environmental rehabilitation project, institutional, residential, commercial and industrial maintenance, a business that provides support and maintenance services – including urgent repair to maintain the safety, security, sanitation and essential operation of institutional, commercial, industrial and residential properties – and includes property management services, the skilled trades, custodial services, fire safety and sprinkler system installation and service, and similar service providers.
Phase one will begin on May 4. Current travel restrictions remain active – with mandatory self-isolation for anyone returning to Manitoba from another province and limits on travel to the North.
Priority elective surgeries will restart, diagnostics screening will resume, and some non-essential businesses will reopen. Schools remain closed, therapeutic and health care services restored, restaurants (including patio/walk-up services) restored, hairstylists and barbers to reopen, museums, galleries and libraries will reopen, and outdoor recreation and campgrounds will reopen.
Phase two will begin no earlier than June 1. Critical public health measures and travel restrictions will continue. This second phase will include expanding public gatherings, dine-in services at restaurants, film production reopened, and non-contact children’s sports restored.