Gatherings will be limited to 10 people in Manitoba as of Monday due to COVID-19

Gatherings will be restricted to a maximum of 10 peoplein Manitoba due to the COVID-19 pandemic, down from 50, starting on Monday, chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin announced Friday morning.

The restriction applies to indoor and outdoor premises, family gatherings, places of worshipand events such as weddings and funerals, Roussin said.

The change does not apply to places where social services and/or health care are provided, homeless shelters, or workplaces. But, Roussin said workplaces should ensurephysicaldistancing measures are in place, that employees can wash their hands frequently, and that employees can work from home when possible.

Retail businesses, including grocery stores, will also need to continue to ensurecustomers are one to two metres apart at all times, Roussin said. This waspreviously recommended, but starting Monday, it will be compulsory under the Public Health Act, Roussin said.

Community transmission is "inevitable" in Manitoba, but reducing the maximum gathering size will mitigate that, he said.

"This is just one tool available to us to heighten that sense of urgency."

WATCH |Dr. Brent Roussin explains why the province is further limiting group sizes:

Dr. Brent Roussin on restricting group sizes

5 years ago

Duration 1:33

Chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin announced gatherings will be restricted to a maximum of 10 people at a time in Manitoba.

A reportfrom the Public Health Agency of Canada found that as of Tuesday,more than half ofthe COVID-19 cases in Canada were caused by community transmission.

Of the 1,352 cases that thePublic Health Agency of Canadahad provided epidemiological data on up to that point, 53 per cent were a result ofinfection from community transmission, while 44 per cent were tied to travellers andpeople who came intoclose contact with a traveller who tested positive.

Roussin said Manitoba has been ahead of the game in implementing physicaldistancing strategies such as closing schools and limiting public gatherings. He pointed out that in some other jurisdictions, those measures weren't taken until there was evidence of sustained community transmission of COVID-19.

Social distancing strategies become more stringent in Manitoba

5 years ago

Duration 2:05

Gatherings will be restricted to a maximum of 10 people in Manitoba due to the COVID-19 pandemic, down from 50, starting on Monday.

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The announcement comes the same day Roussin announced the first death of a Manitoban from COVID-19: a woman in her 60s whowas in intensive care.

Three additional probable cases of the coronaviruswere also announced Friday, bringing the total number of lab-confirmed positive and probable cases in Manitoba to 39.

Public health investigations are underway to determine more details and which other people may have been exposed.

Health inspectors ensuring compliance

In "extreme cases," the 10-person rule can be enforced under provincial law, Roussin said. Thus far, public health inspectors have been in businesses to ensure they're complying with physicaldistancing rules enacted by the province, he said.

Roussinalso said the province is considering using peace officers to enforce these rules.

Still,the new limitations on public gatherings are not about collecting fines, Roussinsaid.

"This is about Manitobans realizing that now is the time for action," he said.

"We know a lot of people are going through some rough times because of this, but it's for the health of all Manitobans."

WATCH | Full news conference on COVID-19 | March 27, 2020:

Manitoba government daily briefing on coronavirus: March 27

5 years ago

Duration 57:27

Provincial officials give update on COVID-19 outbreak: Friday, March 27, 2020.