Manitoba is expanding its efforts to help essential service workers amid the COVID-19 crisis who are struggling to find child care, families minister Heather Stefanson said Thursday.
“Child care centres and homes that are opening their doors to children and their families during this challenging time are truly heroes helping heroes,” said Stefanson.
“We continue to call on child care facilities and early childhood educators to be part of our provincewide response to COVID-19.”
As part of those expanded efforts, all parents who work in what are considered critical services — including support staff at hospitals and clinics, people working at grocery stores, as well as farm, construction and bank or credit union workers — will be eligible to access child care spaces.
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This availability will begin as of Tuesday, April 14, but parents who work in these sectors and haven’t been able to make other arrangements will be able to visit the province’s COVID-19 site to connect with child-care providers and secure a space for their children.
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Children with cold or flu symptoms, or who have travelled in the last 14 days or exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19 are expected to stay at home and can’t be taken to a child care centre.
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On top of the provincial operating grant of over $30 million to licensed child-care providers, the province said the federal government is also offering a helping hand by confirming that child care centres are eligible for the emergency wage subsidy.
Manitoba also launched an $18-million grant program, administered by the Winnipeg and Manitoba chambers of commerce, for early childhood educators who want to offer child-care services in their homes or in the community.
As of Wednesday morning, Manitoba had 221 COVID-19 cases in the province. There were 149 active cases, and 69 people have recovered from the virus. Three people have died.
Questions about COVID-19? Here are some things you need to know:
Health officials caution against all international travel. Returning travellers are legally obligated to self-isolate for 14 days, beginning March 26, in case they develop symptoms and to prevent spreading the virus to others. Some provinces and territories have also implemented additional recommendations or enforcement measures to ensure those returning to the area self-isolate.
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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.
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.
For full COVID-19 coverage from Global News, click here.
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