Non-critical businesses in Manitoba have been ordered to shut their doors to the public at 12:01 a.m. April 1 for a period of at least two weeks as part of COVID-19 pandemic measures, Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister announced at a March 30 news conference.
The Public Health Act order requires restaurants to stop serving food to customers on the premises, though they can still provide food through take out and delivery. Grocery stores can continue to operate, as can liquor and cannabis stores, taxis, public transportation services, gas stations, hotels and all levels of government, among others.
Businesses that are not deemed essential can still take orders and operate remotely, and employees or others can still attend the businesses to provide security, perform repairs or take items off the premises if they are going to continue to operate remotely.
Mining operations are not subject to the shutdown, nor are utilities such as Manitoba Hydro.
Homeless shelters and other social service or health care providers can continue to operate.
The closure of non-critical businesses will last until at least April 14.
Businesses that are allowed to continue operating must take steps to ensure physical distancing between their customers, though there isn’t a specific limit on the number of passengers a bus or airline can transport, said chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin.
“We need to continue to escalate our social distancing recommendations,” Roussin said. “If you are able to, stay home. You need to practise social distancing, physical distancing at all times. These orders are furthering that action that we’ve been taking all along.”
Pallister said the majority of Manitobans are doing their part to help lessen the impact of COVID-19, even through some of the steps cause personal and financial hardship.
“These practices will pay dividends down the road,” said the premier. “This is not a sprint. This is a marathon.”
A full list of public health orders currently under effect and a schedule of the businesses that can remain open can be found at www.manitoba.ca/covid19/soe.html.
