Manitoba moves forward with first step of reopening; gathering sizes increase, restaurants can reopen

Manitoba moves forward with early reopening The Province of Manitoba is moving forward with the first step of its reopening plan a week early. CTV's Michelle Gerwing reports.

WINNIPEG — With Manitoba meeting and exceeding its COVID-19 vaccination target, the province will begin its first step of reopening this weekend, increasing gatherings, reopening a number of retail businesses, personal services and restaurants, and giving fully vaccinated Manitobans more eased restrictions.

Dr. Brent Roussin, the chief provincial public health officer, joined by Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister, made the reopening announcement on Wednesday.

This first step of the plan – which is set to take effect at 12:01 a.m. on June 26 – includes a general reopening, as well as eased restrictions specifically for fully vaccinated Manitobans.

The general reopening plan includes increased gathering sizes, raised capacity limits for retail services and a chance for shuttered restaurants to welcome back patrons.

Even with the reopening, the province said physical distancing and indoor mask use are still required.

GATHERING SIZES

RETAIL, PERSONAL SERVICES AND GYMS

RESTAURANTS AND BARS

Roussin said the province will still require restaurants and bars to operate on limited hours similar to the previous waves of the pandemic. He said no specific hours have been set yet, but it will be earlier than usual.

FAITH-BASED GATHERINGS, WEDDINGS AND FUNERALS

THE EASED RESTRICTIONS FOR FULL VACCINATED MANITOBANS

Under the reopening plan, fully vaccinated Manitobans (meaning two weeks after receiving a second dose) can:

The plan will also allow fully vaccinated residents of personal care homes or congregate living facilities to take part in social or communal activities.

The province said, subject to approval from public health, large outdoor professional sports or performing arts events may allow fully vaccinated Manitobans to attend. It said the province will be working with these organizations to put proof-of-vaccination protocols in place.

MORE RESTRICTIONS TO BE EASED THIS SUMMER

Restrictions continue for museums, galleries, libraries, movie theatres and concert halls, along with casinos and VLTs.

While the province has kept casinos and movie theatres closed, Roussin said their reopening is in the works barring any dramatic shifts.

"We're going to be able to see that this summer," he said. "According to our plan as Manitobans continue to get vaccinated at the rate they are, we're going to see that."

More eased restrictions for fully vaccinated Manitobans will also be announced in July. The province said this will include increased capacity at weddings, funerals, and other gatherings.

Pallister said he will have more details about this early next week.

The province had unveiled the '4-3-2-One Great Summer' plan earlier in June, with plans to reopen if 70 per cent of Manitobans 12 and older had received their first dose and 25 per cent have received their second dose by Canada Day.

As of Wednesday, the province reported 71.6 per cent of Manitobans 12 and up had received at least one dose and 28.8 per cent have received two doses.

The next reopening target is scheduled for Terry Fox Day on August 2, if 75 per cent of eligible Manitobans receive their first dose and 50 per cent get their second dose.

The province said it will consider reopening earlier depending on the vaccination goals.

With files from CTV's Devon McKendrick and Kayla Rosen