Safely Restoring Services and Activities in Manitoba

As steps are taken toward a safe, gradual reopening, the Manitoba government continues to ask for public feedback on its plan to move forward to safely restore services and activities, while protecting Manitobans and balancing the needs of the health care system. This builds on prior steps taken to connect with Manitobans throughout the pandemic on public health orders, pandemic planning and more.

Since January, more than 200,000 responses were provided through five online surveys to get feedback from Manitobans about priorities to safely restore services, including possible changes to the public health orders, while continuing to balance public safety. The surveys also track people’s perspectives on the risk of the virus, COVID-19 vaccines and their comfort levels with different activities.

Perceptions of the Virus and Vaccination

Over the last few months we've asked Manitobans if they were personally afraid of contracting COVID-19 and if they were afraid that someone close to them (friend, parent, grandparent) will contract COVID-19. Consistently, respondents report higher levels of fear that someone close to them will contract COVID-19.

Chart: Fear of Contracting COVID-19. Personally afraid of contracting COVID-19: January 19 (52%), February 9 (45%), March 2 (41%), March 23 (47%). Afraid that a friend, parent or grandparent will contract COVID-19: January 19 (72%),February 9 (64%), March 2 (59%), March 23 (63%).

We've also asked Manitobans about their perspective on COVID-19 vaccines over the last few months. Feedback since January indicates that vaccination intention is staying consistent with over 70 per cent of respondents reporting they have already received immunization or plan to sign up for vaccination. As of March 23, 2021, 9 per cent of respondents reported they had already received immunization against COVID-19 and 13 per cent of respondents reported someone in their household had received a COVID-19 vaccine.

Chart: Perspectives on COVID-19 Vaccines. Have already received immunization or will sign up for vaccination: January 19 (76%), February 9 (73%), March 2 (75%), March 23 (78%). Not sure if will get the vaccine: January 19 (14%), February 9 (15%), March 2 (14%), March 23 (12%). Will not get vaccinated against COVID-19: Janaury 19 (10%), February 9 (12%), March 2 (11%), March 23 (10%).

Chart: COVID-19 Immunization: 9% have already been immunized, 13% someone in my household has received a COVID-19 vaccine.

Current Manitoba Situation

We asked the public how comfortable they are doing various activities given the current state of the pandemic. Feedback indicates that respondents are most comfortable shopping at a stand-alone store, going to the dentist/chiropractor/massage therapist and going to work. Respondents report the lowest comfort levels with going to the movie theatre, taking public transit and going to bars, night clubs and pubs. The biggest change in comfort levels from January are seen for the activities of going to a movie theatre, travelling outside of Manitoba, going to bars, night clubs and pubs and shopping at a mall.

Chart: Comfort Level Over Time. Shopping at a mall: January 19 (69%), February 9 (73%), March 2 (81%), March 23 (75%). Travelling outside of Manitoba: January 19 (46%), February 9 (45%), March 2 (54%), March 23 (53%). Going to the movie theatre: January 19 (38%), February 9 (43%), March 2 (51%), March 23 (47%). Taking public transit: January 19 (24%), February 9 (28%), March 2 (31%), March 23 (28%).Going to bars, night clubs and pubs: January 19 (21%), February 9 (23%), March 2 (29%), March 23 (27%).

Survey Reports

For results of public feedback related to Safely Restoring Services and Activities in Manitoba, view the survey reports:

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