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Manitoba doles out 55 coronavirus enforcement tickets over week surrounding New Year’s

Click to play video: 'Manitoba enforcement update'
Manitoba enforcement update
According to the latest enforcement numbers from the province, some chose not to listen to advice to not gather over the holidays. Marney Blunt reports – Jan 5, 2021

Manitoba COVID-19 enforcement officers handed out 55 tickets for public health violations last week, including 41 for gatherings held at private residences.

In an update Tuesday the province said 279 warnings were also given from Dec. 28 to Jan. 3.

Of the 55 tickets given over the week of New Year’s Eve, six were received by Manitobans caught not wearing masks in an indoor public place, the province said.

Since enforcement started in April the province says a total of 1,962 warnings and 672 tickets have been issued to individuals and businesses, resulting in more than $984,000 in fines.

Click to play video: 'Coronavirus: Manitoba’s top doctor says new cases dropping, but not time to relax'
Coronavirus: Manitoba’s top doctor says new cases dropping, but not time to relax

Provincial fines for individuals breaking COVID-19 health orders are set at $1,296, while fines for businesses are $5,000. Those caught not wearing a mask in public indoor spaces can face a $289 fine.

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Manitoba imposed a province-wide shutdown in mid-November closing non-essential businesses and forbidding most gatherings with anyone outside a household.

The orders are scheduled to expire Jan. 8 and health officials have yet to say if they’ll be extended.

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The province says nearly 3,300 personnel across various agencies are currently able to enforce public health orders.

Click to play video: 'Coronavirus: Manitoba’s top doctor says still no reported cases of COVID-19 variant in province'
Coronavirus: Manitoba’s top doctor says still no reported cases of COVID-19 variant in province

Questions about COVID-19? Here are some things you need to know:

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.

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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. In situations where you can’t keep a safe distance from others, public health officials recommend the use of a non-medical face mask or covering to prevent spreading the respiratory droplets that can carry the virus. In some provinces and municipalities across the country, masks or face coverings are now mandatory in indoor public spaces.

For full COVID-19 coverage from Global News, click here.

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