This story will be updated as the press conference begins and continues.
Manitoba’s tourism and hospitality sector will see $8 million in new funding for COVID-19 relief, Premier Brian Pallister announced Tuesday.
“Manitoba’s tourism sector – a key contributor to the province’s economy – has been significantly impacted by a reduction in domestic and international travel and other restrictions that were necessary to protect Manitobans and all Canadians from the spread of COVID-19,” said Pallister.
“We recognize that these businesses have made significant sacrifices in order to protect their community. We are committed to helping them through this challenging and unpredictable time and to help position them for recovery.”
The new program, called the Hospitality Relief Sector Program, will be run by the Manitoba Hotel and the Manitoba Loges and Outfitters associations.
A percentage of fixed costs such as property insurance, mortgage interest, property taxes, land leases, service fees, camp maintenance and resource retention costs will be covered.
More information on the program and how to apply will be available for eligible applicants shortly, said Pallister.
“We thank the government for recognizing that hotels have been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic and that we need help,” said Scott Jocelyn, president and CEO, Manitoba Hotel Association. “This program will be provide much-needed assistance for the hotel industry, which has been one of the most impacted industries, and will be one of the last to recover.”
Enforcement update
The province said 44 warnings and 22 tickets were handed out last week to people not following public health rules.
Those tickets include:
- 16 $1,296 tickets to individuals for various offences;
- four $298 tickets to individuals for failure to wear a mask in indoor public places; and
- two $5,150 tickets under the Federal Quarantine Act.
Eight of the 16 $1,296 tickets were given to people gathering in homes or outside.
“Public health orders remain in effect and Manitobans are reminded to stick to the fundamentals of physical distancing, hand washing and wearing a mask.”
Anyone spotting someone not following the rules can call 204-945-3744 and pressing option 3.
“Since enforcement efforts began in April 2020, a total of 3,435 warnings and 1,050 tickets have been issued, resulting in more than $1.4 million in fines to businesses and individuals,” said the province.
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