The Manitoba government will close down all businesses except essential services, starting on Wednesday, at least until April 14.
Premier Brian Pallister made the announcement Monday, along with Dr. Brent Roussin, chief provincial health officer.
The list of essential services appears to be similar to Ontario’s.
Both Manitoba’s and Ontario’s essential services lists contains 74 general types of businesses that can stay open during the pandemic.
The list includes businesses in the health-care, banking and telecommunications sectors, food service industry, construction, dry cleaning, office supplies, veterinarians and more.
Read the health order and full list below:
Starting Wednesday, salons, spas, bars and other establishments are to be closed.
Restaurants will be allowed to remain open for takeout or delivery only.
The closures do not affect health-care facilities, government services and other institutions.
In Manitoba, it’s not likely people will notice a large change in what businesses will stay open.
Numerous businesses have closed down or moved their staff to home offices since the first case was detected in Manitoba just over two weeks ago.
However, the list does provide clarity for those in the service industry, including massage therapists and hair stylists, who will now need to shut down.
Global News has received numerous emails and questions from local massage therapists, hair stylists and others who have wanted to close down but were unable to for fear of not qualifying for emergency benefits.
Number of cases
Dr. Roussin announced 24 new cases on Monday, bringing the total up to 96.
One person has died. Four people are currently in hospital, one in ICU, and two people have recovered.
Cadham Provincial Laboratory performed 1,430 tests over the weekend. As of Monday, 8,550 tests have been performed.
Dr. Roussin emphasized they don’t release personal health information unless there is a public health need to do so. Those who are found to have the virus, the province will talk to those who have been around them.
The same goes for small towns, and the province will not release locations of where a specific case was unless it’s needed, said Roussin, because the advice is the same.
“Stay home, if you can. If you have to go out, please practice social distancing.”
Roussin also asked people not to share rumors.
“Just go for credible information … don’t share unfounded information.”
A community drive-thru testing site opened today in Dauphin at the Manitoba Public Insurance Service Centre, 217 Industrial Rd. Hours are daily from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Another site opened in Pine Falls at École Powerview School, 33 Vincent St. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Over the weekend, health officials noted a spike in cases, including 25 on Saturday and eight on Sunday.
Groups of 10 or more are now not allowed to gather in Manitoba, effective Monday morning.
Roussin said those who are diagnosed with COVID-19 and recover at home, are released from imposed isolation after 14 days, but they still must practice social distancing rules.
– with files from Brian Hill
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