“We are in a very precarious place right now,” Roussin stated.
He said the cases are expanding in every age group, but particularly in younger cohorts. Since Friday, April 23, there were more than 700 new cases. Hospitalizations were up more than 56%. Roussin added other parts of Canada and countries like India were struggling as well.
In Manitoba, there would no longer be any visitors allowed at private homes, either indoors or out, expect for those living alone, who could have one. (Previously, two visitors were permitted.) No indoor gathering are allowed, with a limit of 10 to outdoor gatherings in public spaces only. Cultural/religious gatherings are dropped to 25% or 10 people, whichever is lower, down from 25 people, and masking is necessary at all times. There are no changes to dining-in restrictions at restaurants, which are now 50% capacity, but patio dining dropped to four people with no household restrictions. Food courts in malls are closed.
For personal services, there is no change in numbers allowed, 50% capacity, but appointments must be made. For indoor sports, the games can continue, but there can be only one spectator per youth, and two metres of distance at all times. The same is true for outdoor sports. Dance, theatre and music schools are at 25% capacity, with a maximum of 10 people, and one spectator per participant. Retail and malls at 25% capacity with a cap at 250 people. Gyms and fitness centres are still at 25%, with masking and three metres of distancing.
“The vaccine is giving us an optimistic look to the future, but we are not there yet with the public uptake of the vaccine. We are still a ways away until we have enough people vaccinated.”
Roussin said as the vaccine continued to be rolled out, they might be able to lessen the public orders. He added during the four weeks of the public orders, they expected another 300,000 vaccines to come to province.
“If we all do our part, this very well could be our last strict orders,” he stated.
Pallister said they are trying to balance many factors when deciding on new rules. There are many viewpoints and interests. Some people want no mandates at all; others want to be “bubble wrapped.” He said there are consequences to every perspective. There is COVID, COVID-fatigue, economic concerns, and fear. The premier felt Manitobans could get through it.
“It’s time to call on that Manitoban spirit we all have,” Pallister stated.
Pallister added they are ramping up the enforcement of the public health rules, including more boots on the ground in places like patios and restaurants.
As many of the new cases were seen in Winnipeg, there is the question as to why the regional approach used before, in which different rules were in different places based on numbers. Roussin said it was possible to do that again. However, at present, he said there were increasing cases in all regions.
Recently, Boissevain School was closed due to an outbreak with remote learning instituted. It was finally reopened this past Monday. Roussin said there were no changes forcing schools to change their systems despite high numbers because the province was seeing most of the transmission in younger people outside of school. He said it was important to keep schools open when they can as it helps with mental health.
“It’s always been our priority, to keep kids in school,” the doctor explained. “We continue to watch that closely, but we’re not seeing the transmission in schools, it’s outside of schools.”
As Roussin stated, there is the hope this can be the last of the big health orders. He and the premier stressed getting vaccinated as soon as possible, saying the best vaccine is the one you can get.
“We’ve done this before, we can do this again,” Pallister stated.

by PAUL RAYNER, Recorder staff