04 May 2020 – Manitoba to begin easing restrictions on businesses under strict guidelines

Type of Intervention: Specific Action
Sectors Involved: Civil Defence, Health, Private Sector and Businesses
Intervention Categories: Social and physical distancing measures; Reopening offices, businesses, institutions, and operations
Level of Jurisdiction: Manitoba
Lead People/Agency: Government of Manitoba

Overview: The Manitoba government announced that they will begin a cautious multi-phased effort to gradually allow the reopening of businesses and services. Starting May 4th, various non-essential health-care and retail businesses will be permitted to re-open under strict guidelines. Examples include non-urgent surgery and diagnostic procedures, hair salons & restaurant patios/walk-up services.
Full details here: https://news.gov.mb.ca/news/index.html?item=47664&posted=2020-04-29

Type of Justification: Advice of INTERNAL government advisory committee or group
Evidence/Justification: Manitoba’s chief provincial public health officer , Dr. Brent Roussin, has stated that based on evolving global public health recommendations & modelling, Manitoba is in a position to begin a methodical, phased-in approach to reopening. Dr. Roussin has stated: “Our public health measures to date have helped us reduce case numbers and flatten the curve, but it is not practical to maintain these measures indefinitely. That is why we will gradually reduce these measures including balancing the need to protect vulnerable Manitobans from COVID-19 with the need to protect Manitobans from the unintended impacts of strict public health measures, which include health and social impacts.”