Manitoba’s total detected number of COVID-19 cases broke 300 June 5, with two new positive cases of the disease reported.
Only three of those cases have been in the Northern Health Region - all those individuals have since recovered. Only nine active cases remain in the province.
The two new cases announced by Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba chief provincial health officer, are both related to travel.
“We know that travel outside of Manitoba, especially into the U.S., carries with it increasing risk,” he said.
“We know that Manitoba’s numbers have been quite favorable. When you travel outside of Manitoba, it increases that risk.”
Roussin added health officials have been working closely with the Manitoba Trucker Association (MTA) to advise on best practices.
Manitoba has processed over 47,000 total tests since the outbreak began, with the results of 671 tests revealed in the province’s June 5 update.
Manitoba entered phase two of its recovery June 1, but updates to public health orders could come before phase three begins, as early as June 21.
Roussin confirmed billiards halls are not allowed to open under current rules.
“With all these things, there's a lot of sectors, a lot of industry, we're moving fast trying to get as much as open in a safe manner,” he said.
“We'll continue to review things.”
With more people returning to work, Roussin cautioned people to be safe when on public transit, including wearing a mask if you are able, but reiterated other measures are more effective.
“We don't want to be in a position you may have heard of discrimination against people who aren't wearing masks when there's sometimes a good reason why they they're not able to,” he said.
“Our message is the same as it has been - that there's much more important ways to protect ourselves in the spread of COVID. If you can't physically distance, then certainly wearing a non medical mask is an appropriate option to use.”
Manitoba’s next testing update news conference will be held June 8.
