Manitoba announces relaxation of retail restrictions

With the first key vaccination benchmark achieved, and active COVID-19 cases falling, the Manitoba government has announced it will be proceeding with its Stage 1 reopening at 12:01 a.m. on June 26, 2021.

Retail Capacity increases to 25% – Elimination of One Shopper Rule

As of Saturday, June 26, retail capacity for all retail stores across Manitoba will increase from 10% to 25% of fire code occupancy, to a maximum of 250 people for larger footprint stores.

Following extensive advocacy by RCC on behalf of members negatively impacted by this rule, there will be no longer a limit on the number of household members permitted to shop together.

Reopening of other Sectors and Services

Additionally, as of this Saturday, across Manitoba the following businesses and services will reopen:

• Restaurants and bars may reopen at 25% for indoor dining, and 50% for outdoor dining. For indoor dining, patrons seated together must be from the same household unless all patrons at the table are fully immunized. For outdoor dining, tables are limited to a maximum of 8 patrons and can be from different households regardless of immunization status.
• Personal service businesses (hair and nail salons, estheticians, barbers, etc.) may reopen at 50% capacity.
• Gyms and fitness facilities may reopen at 25% capacity.
• Summer day camps may reopen to a maximum of 20 participants in groups.
• Movie theatres are expected to open during the next reopening stage.
• Outdoor gathering sizes on private property double to 10 persons, with public outdoor gathering sizes to increase from 5 to 25 persons.

These orders are scheduled to expire at 12:01 a.m. Monday, August 2, however, may be moved up if vaccination rate goals are reached sooner and the province’s overall COVID-19 situation continues to improve.