Manitoba Liquor Mart staff to wear masks at work starting Thursday

Manitoba Liquor Mart employees will soon be required to wear masks while on the job.

Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries will mandatemask use for liquor store staffstarting Thursday, the provincial agency says.

"Manitoba Liquor andLotteries is committed to doing what we can to protect the health of our employees and customers," a spokesperson for the provincial organization said in an email.

"We haveand will continue toevolve, expand and implement these types of initiatives as new information about COVID-19 preventative best practices becomes available."

Each employee will get two reusable face masks, the spokesperson said. Employees can also usetheir own masks from home if they prefer.

Wearing masks in public spaces is not currently required in Manitoba. However, Liquor and Lotteriesalready requires employees in Winnipeg casinos to wear masks while at work.

The president of the Liquor Mart workers' union said most of the employees she's heard from support the decision.

"They recognize that we all have a responsibility to ensure that there's safety for both themselves, their co-workers and for the customers that are coming through the door," said Michelle Gawronsky, president of the Manitoba Government and General Employees Union.

Customers at Manitoba liquor stores currently aren't required to wear masks while shopping, but Gawronskyhopes shoppers will put them on anyway, to help keep each other and workers safe.

"Although it's not a requirement, I'm certainly hoping that all Manitobans realize it is a good idea."