New COVID-19 restrictions in effect for Winnipeg today
Posted October 19, 2020 8:00 am.
Last Updated October 18, 2020 6:19 pm.
WINNIPEG (CITYNEWS) – It was a moment of exasperation from Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman.
While addressing the rising cases of COVID-19 in the city at a press conference last week, Bowman urged everyone capable of doing so to “wear a friggin’ mask.”
That frustration will certainly be echoed by many Winnipeggers who find themselves subject to a slew of new restrictions beginning today.
For the next two weeks, gatherings will be limited to five people and a maximum of five people will be allowed to sit together at a restaurant.
Beverage rooms, bingo halls and casinos will have to close. Restaurants, lounges and retail stores will be limited to half capacity.
Health officials say the measures were prompted by growing community transmission of the novel coronavirus, and data that shows many cases have been connected to people socializing in bars, restaurants and homes.
“We need to reduce our community transmission of this virus, we need to reduce the number of hospitalizations and deaths,” said Manitoba chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin last week. “And to do that, we need to keep our contacts down and focus on the fundamentals.
“We can make a change in a quick manner.”
A month ago, Winnipeg accounted for 184 of Manitoba’s 241 total active cases. Now, there are more than 1,400 active cases in Winnipeg – the bulk of the province’s 1,675.
Manitoba health officials reported two more deaths on Sunday. A man and woman in their 70s from the Winnipeg health region were the province’s 39th and 40th death.
The new restrictions are expected to impact several aspects of Winnipeggers’ day-to-day lives.
“Things like sporting events, only one parent should go with the child, if possible,” said Roussin. “The entire family shouldn’t go shopping together. Send one person if possible.”
Roussin is also urging people to stay home all at costs if they are symptomatic.
“People are going out gathering with friends, going to party while ill, going to work while ill. We know for our success moving forward, we have to stop going out when we’re ill.”
The opposite is true when it comes to testing facilities, said Manitoba’s top doctor.
“We want to see symptomatic testing,” he said. “If you don’t have any symptoms, if you haven’t been directed by public health to be tested, please do not go for testing.”
–with files from The Canadian Press
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