The provincial government is mulling over some modest changes to the current public health orders due for an update on Friday, Jan. 22.
A press release issued on Tuesday states the following changes are currently under consideration:
(1) Household Limits
Current orders restricting visitors to private residences could be expanded to include two additional people (family or friends) to visit a household. Orders may also be altered to permit outdoor visits of up to five people plus members of a household on outdoor private property, and to allow funerals to have up to 10 people in addition to the officiant.
(2) Retail Operations
Current orders for retail establishments could be expanded to allow all stores to open for the sale of all products and current requirements to maintain physical distancing and occupancy limits would remain in place and be enforced. That could also mean the elimination of the essential items list.
(3) Health Services and Hair Salons/Barbershops:
Non-regulated health services, hair salons and barbershops are currently closed, but a possible change could see barbershops and hairstylists to reopen at 25% capacity with adequate physical distancing and requirements to collect information for contact tracing purposes. Other non-regulated health services, such as podiatrists and reflexologists, could also be allowed to reopen with additional contact tracing and physical distancing measures.
None of the proposed changes have been set in stone and the province continues asking Manitobans fortheir input on measures that could come into effect as early as Friday.
To provide feedback, visit EngageMB
The premier says the survey launched on Friday received more than 67,500 responses, with respondents showing a strong desire to see public health use a regional approach to orders and restrictions.
The province says 74% of respondents ranked the ability to shop without limitations as somewhat or very important. By comparison, only 29% ranked the ability to attend their place of worship in person as somewhat or very important.
A full analysis of the survey is underway and will be posted on the EngageMB website once completed.
Roussin noted that final public health orders will be introduced later this week to replace public health orders expiring Friday.
