Manitoba COVID-19 update: new restrictions on retail stores, gatherings, new vaccine eligibility

The province has placed new limits on retail stores amid a spike in COVID-19 cases.

Premier Brian Pallister and chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin announced the new restrictions on Monday, April 19, 2021.

Under the new orders, that kicked in at 12:01 AM today, retails stores must remain at 1/3 capacity or 333 customers, whichever is lower. Malls will be limited to 33 per cent capacity.

“Despite our best collective efforts and having some of the strictest measures in the country, COVID-19 cases and particularly variants of concern are on the rise,” Pallister said in a news release. “Introducing more restrictive measures is not what many of us want to hear right now, but it’s what we need to do to protect Manitobans and our health-care system.”

The additional public health orders include:

  • households can only have two designated visitors indoors
  • outdoor gatherings on public or private property are limited to 10 people including household members
  • faith-based gatherings are limited to 25 per cent capacity or 50 people, whichever is lower, with indoor masks orders in place except while household groups are seated at a service, are distanced from other groups and not singing
  • weddings and funerals are reduced to 10 people, excluding an officiant and photographer

These new orders will remain in effect until at least May 12, 2021.

Province announces updates to vaccine strategy

Manitoba’s Vaccine Implementation Task Force announced on Monday it is lowering the age eligibility for the Astra-Zeneca vaccine, which is available through clinics and pharmacies, to all people age 40 and up.

In addition to that, the province also expanded eligibility at supersites and pop-up clinics to Manitobans 52 and older and Indigenous people 32 and older.

Minister of Health and Seniors Care, Heather Stefanson announced this week the province is opening new supersites in north Winnipeg and Steinbach, and is setting up five urban immunization clinics aimed at increasing access for Indigenous Manitobans.

These clinics will be located at:

  • Ma-Mow-We-Tak Friendship Centre in Thompson, 4 Nelson Rd., Thompson
  • Brandon Friendship Centre, 205 College Ave. Brandon
  • Prairie Fusion Arts and Entertainment Centre, led by the Portage la Prairie Community Revitalization Corporation, 11 Second St. NE, Portage la Prairie
  • Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre, 180 Higgins Ave. Winnipeg
  • Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre – Win Gardner Place, 363 MacGregor Ave. Winnipeg

The clinics are expected to open April 26, 2021.

According to the province’s vaccine information website it has administered 350,977 vaccine doses so far and 26.1 per cent of Manitobans are vaccinated.

People who are eligible can book vaccine appointments by calling 1-844-626-8222 or visiting protectmb.ca.