Skip to content

Manitoba ramps up fines for breaking public health orders before Easter weekend

The Manitoba government is announcing harsh penalties for people and businesses not practicing social isolation. Premier Brian Pallister made the announcement during a joint news conference with Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman April 9.
distance

The Manitoba government is announcing harsh penalties for people and businesses not practicing social isolation.

Premier Brian Pallister made the announcement during a joint news conference with Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman April 9. Officials said they would be bringing fines of $486 for people breaking a public health order and over $2,500 for businesses doing the same.

While officials focused on enforcement in Winnipeg, an accompanying news release confirmed enforcement would be ramping up across the province.

“[Plans] include engaging municipal bylaw officers, community and First Nations safety officers, community volunteer groups such as Citizens on Patrol and Manitoba Conservation officers who will work with respective police services,” the news release reads.

Later in the day, Manitoba chief public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin announced three new cases in the province. The province currently has detected 145 active cases. Roussin cautioned against any celebrations or relaxing of measures.

“You don't have to look far in our neighbouring jurisdictions to see case counts climbing,” he said.

“This is an important time for Manitobans. We have a long weekend, we have holiday celebrations, Easter and Passover… We cannot now get together for family dinners.”

Testing locations across Manitoba will see changes in hours during the holiday weekend. The COVID-19 testing location in Flin Flon will remain open. 

Roussin also confirmed testing criteria was expanding. Symptomatic first responders, including police, are now being tested. The province has previously been only testing symptomatic people including travellers, hospitalized people and anyone living in a “high-risk” community, including remote communities.

Manitoba has conducted 15,259 COVID-19 tests since the outbreak began.

Despite distance strategies appearing to help to stem the flow of cases, Roussin said Manitoba is still at risk and this weekend could be a critical time.

“These numbers are likely to continue to climb over time, so we need to really make sure that we don't let our guards down,” he said.

“We need to recognize that our efforts may well have been contributing to some of these numbers, but we’ve got to keep that up. We can't let our guards down right now."

Roussin said Manitoba is looking to release projections on the disease's possible spread within the province next week.

Reports of breaking public health orders can be made to the Manitoba Government Inquiry inquiry line, 204-945-3744 or by email at mgi@gov.mb.ca.

push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks