Manitoba announces elimination of all retail restrictions

With Manitoba’s final vaccination target achieved, and active COVID19 cases and hospitalizations now low, the Manitoba Government has announced it will be proceeding with its next stage of reopening at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, August 7, 2021.

Retail to operate without restrictions

As of Saturday, August 7, all public health orders applicable to retail businesses and malls will be removed, including COVID specific distancing, cleaning and capacity practices that have been in place throughout the pandemic. The government will publish public health recommendations and guidance, to support individual precautions that stores may take.

Additionally, while masks are strongly recommended in indoor public settings for those that are not fully immunized, mask will no longer be a requirement under the new Health Order.

Limited Restrictions for other sectors and services

Additionally, with 80% of all Manitobans aged 12 plus having received their first vaccination dose, and 75% having received their second dose, as of this Saturday, across Manitoba, the following will now be permitted:

• indoor and outdoor gatherings at private residences:
• gyms and fitness centres;
• libraries and day camps;
• personal services such as hair and nail salons.

Other sectors will open with limited restrictions including:

• Restaurants and bars will no longer have limits on indoor and outdoor dining, including capacity or separation requirements between tables, regardless of vaccination status.
• Movie theatres, museums and galleries will remain limited to 50% until September 7, but will no longer be restricted to vaccinated individuals;
• Indoor and outdoor sports and recreation will fully reopen with a 50% limit on spectator capacity.

Workplaces

Workplaces must continue to report cases to government for follow up and public health-confirmed transmission of COVID-19 in the workplace may result in workplaces being ordered to close for a minimum of 10 days.

Remote working will no longer be required or recommended by public health and workplaces will be encouraged to transition from COVID-19 safety plans to a general communicable disease prevention plan that focuses on basic risk-reduction principles to reduce the risk of workplace transmission of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses. These orders are scheduled to expire at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, September 7.