Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister says an announced online therapy program is now up and running.
About 600 people have registered for the program, he said Thursday.
The AbilitiCBT program is a free and confidential virtual-therapy platform and has proven to be one of the most effective and efficient therapy methods available, the premier said in a statement.
While everyone is apart, we are all together, he said, getting emotional.
“I feel responsible … for the reality that so many people are hurting right now,” he said. “That’s why I urge those who are feeling strong right now to help those who aren’t.”
He choked up when talking about his relatives who are lonely and would “rather have a hug than a Skype.”
The premier also updated people on other measures that have been called in the past month.
Pallister said the province has has hired 300 more nurses in recent months, and said 50 nurses have come out of retirement in the past few weeks.
Daycare services for front line workers has been expanded, and 1,600 requests for child care have been received. Just under 90 per cent of those requests have been accommodated, said Pallister.
Critical service workers who want daycare can now go online and ask for it as well, he said.
All the information can be found at www.manitoba.ca/covid19.
Potential layoffs
Asked about the talk with unions earlier this week and potential layoffs, Pallister said public servants are only needed on a part time basis at the moment.
“If the unions and the federal government force us to use layoffs, we’ll use layoffs.”
The press conference comes after a marathon emergency session at the Manitoba Legislative building Wednesday, where the province granted itself emergency powers to deal with the novel coronavirus outbreak for the next six months.
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.
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.