The province will implement the second phase of the ‘4-3-2-One Great Summer’ Reopening Path two weeks early, on July 17, as vaccination rates continue to climb across the province, Premier Brian Pallister and Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba’s chief provincial public health officer, announced today.
“Vaccines are the safest and quickest way out of this pandemic. The sooner all eligible Manitobans get fully vaccinated, the sooner we can all get our lives back,” said Pallister. “Thanks to the incredible efforts of Manitoba’s vaccine team and Manitobans’ willingness to roll up their sleeves – not once, but twice – we are able to move forward earlier than anticipated with fewer restrictions on our economy and our communities.”
The second vaccination milestone of at least 75 per cent first dose and 50 per cent second dose for those age 12 and older was reached nearly a month ahead of schedule on July 6. With continued improvement in the overall COVID-19 situation, Manitobans will be able to enjoy more freedoms with expanded indoor and outdoor activities, the premier noted.
Under the second phase of the ‘4-3-2 One Great Summer’ Reopening Path, most facilities may now open to 50 per cent capacity, allowing more people to gather indoors and outdoors, shop, dine out, visit cultural and recreational facilities, and more. Fully immunized Manitobans who have received two vaccination doses at least two weeks ago, may enjoy even more benefits under new public health orders.
Click here for the new public health orders
In all cases, following the COVID-19 fundamentals, including indoor mask use and physical distancing, is still required to protect the health and well-being of all Manitobans.
“This is the safe, reasonable and appropriate next step in our reopening”, said Roussin. “More and more vaccinations allow us to loosen public health restrictions. But COVID-19 is still circulating in the province and continues to challenge our hospital and ICU capacity, a phased reopening is a safe reopening.”
Pallister echoed the need for caution and care in the province’s reopening plan.
“This is a marathon, not a sprint. We are not at the finish line yet, the race to beat COVID-19 is not over yet,” said the premier. “Until that race is over, Manitobans must continue to do their part and fulfil the two most important public health responsibilities each of us have; get fully vaccinated and follow the public health orders designed to keep COVID-19 away.”
The new public health orders will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 17.
The orders are scheduled to expire at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 7 and will be reassessed at that time in the context of vaccination rates and the province’s overall COVID-19 situation.
“We are close to achieving all of our vaccination milestones ahead of schedule. Now we just need that extra effort by every Manitoban not yet vaccinated to roll up your sleeve and push us across the finish line so we can fully reopen, safely and quickly,” said Pallister.
For more information on COVID-19 in Manitoba, visit www.manitoba.ca/covid19/.