#RestartMB Pandemic Response System

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.

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.

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.

Survey Reports

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

• Survey report (January 15 to 19)
• Survey report (January 19 to 21)
• Survey report (February 4 to 9)
• Survey report (February 25 to March 2)
• Survey report (March 18 to 23)

More than 22,000 people took part in the February 2 telephone town hall, which offered Manitobans the opportunity to ask questions about Manitoba’s Immunization Plan. Joining Dr. Brent Roussin, chief provincial public health officer, and Dr. Joss Reimer, medical lead of the Vaccine Implementation Task Force was the Honourable Heather Stefanson, Minister of Health and Seniors Care.

Telephone Town Hall Participation and Poll Results
Telephone Town Hall Recording

More than 24,000 people took part in the November 25 town hall, which offered Manitobans the opportunity to ask questions about the pandemic response with a focus on mental health. Joining Dr. Brent Roussin, chief provincial public health officer, was Dr. Andrea Piotrowski, a clinical psychologist with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority and Dr. Jazz Atwal, a provincial medical officer of health.

Telephone Town Hall Participation and Poll Results
Telephone Town Hall Recording

On November 19 more than 23,500 Manitobans took part in a conversation with public health officials about new restrictions on retail sales, which took effect November 20. The telephone town hall included a discussion with Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba’s chief provincial public health officer and Dr. Jazz Atwal, a provincial medical officer of health.

Telephone Town Hall Participation and Poll Questions Report
Telephone Town Hall Recording

On November 3, 2020 the Manitoba government announced the launch of a comprehensive public engagement strategy. The second week of this engagement strategy focused on checking-in with Manitobans to better understand current feelings towards COVID-19 and its effect on the province and a telephone town hall focused on the design and public health considerations of the Pandemic Response System.

The telephone town hall took place November 12 and had 23, 784 attendees.
Telephone Town Hall Participation and Poll Questions Report
Telephone Town Hall Recording

In total 9, 872 people provided feedback through an online COVID-19 Perceptions and Attitudes survey between November 10 and November 13. Overall, respondents reported they are practicing preventative public health measures.
However, some respondents report having contacts outside their household and almost half of respondents think it is safe to expand the people they have close contact with beyond their household to family and friends they know and trust.
There is general support for COVID-19 vaccination with the majority of respondents indicating they will get vaccinated when a vaccine is approved and widely available in Manitoba. The majority of survey respondents also indicated they will get a flu shot this year, or had already got one.

Respondents reported experiencing stress and fear related to COVID-19. With almost half of all respondents being more afraid of unknowingly spreading the virus to others than being infected themselves. The top sources of stress include personal and family’s health and safety and social isolation. Respondents identified the most trustworthy sources of information about the pandemic to be scientists/scientific journals, public health officials and government websites.

Awareness of the Pandemic Response System is very high with almost all survey respondents being aware. The majority of respondents indicated it is a helpful system to communicate the severity of the pandemic situation to Manitobans. When asked about considerations the province should take when setting levels of risk and restrictions the majority of respondents agree that public health orders should take into consideration the mental health impacts on Manitobans.

The survey asked respondents for open-ended comments related to the current response to COVID-19 in our province. The top three themes emerging from these comments include:

• Mental health and well-being - Respondents commented that the long-term effect of these restrictions is deteriorating the mental health and well-being of their loved ones. Responses emphasized that schools must remain open for the well-being of our children.
• Economy - There is a general sense of concern about the impact of the current restrictions on the economy in Manitoba. Responses emphasized the challenges small businesses are facing under public health restrictions.
• Physical health - Respondents indicated that keeping people healthy should be the top priority, achieved by imposing strict restrictions and enforcement. People expressed the need to keep restrictions in place until we can stop the spread of COVID-19 or a vaccine becomes available.

The results from this week’s survey are available at:

COVID-19 Perceptions and Attitudes Survey Results

On November 3, 2020 the Manitoba government announced the launch of the next phase of a comprehensive public engagement strategy inviting Manitobans to share their feedback. The first week of this engagement strategy focused on enforcement, awareness of current Pandemic Response System restrictions and collected feedback from the public on the possibility of a curfew as a measure to halt the growing community transmission of COVID-19 in our province.

The first telephone town hall took place November 5 and had 26, 279 attendees. A participation report with results from the telephone town hall poll questions is available below. In total 18, 615 people provided feedback through an online survey between November 2 and November 5.

Overall, awareness of current public health orders under the pandemic response system is high. The top three locations where respondents see people breaking public health orders include grocery stores, private homes and retail outlets. This problematic behavior is spread out somewhat evenly between gathering in groups larger than five people, not wearing a mask in indoor spaces when required and sites not enforcing capacity limits. The survey asked respondents for examples of locations where they had seen problematic behavior. Responses to this question will be sent to the Public Health Enforcement Unit for review. The majority of respondents indicated that education, warnings and fines were all somewhat or very effective measures to ensure compliance with public health orders. Respondents were asked if a curfew would help prevent gatherings, reduce contacts and slow the spread of COVID-19. The results received show that public feedback is divided on this issue with a majority of respondents indicating they definitely or somewhat agree that a 10PM curfew would be effective in reducing COVID-19 transmission.

Public feedback to the survey indicated the desire to provide additional open-ended comments. The survey was edited to allow respondents to provide general comments on enforcement and the potential for a curfew. The top three themes emerging from these comments include:

• Curfew - Responses were mixed with comments both in support of and against a curfew. Those in support of a curfew thought it would slow the spread of COVID-19 and prevent additional widespread restrictions. Those against a curfew thought it would create unneeded worry and confusion.
• Enforcement and Fines - Respondents indicated a desire for enforcement of public health orders with fines imposed.
• Curfew Exemptions - Respondents wanted to see curfew exemptions granted to essential workers and others on a case-by-case basis.
  
  The results from this week’s engagement activities are available at:
  Telephone Town Hall Participation and Poll Questions Report
  Telephone Town Hall Recording
  Curfew and Enforcement Survey Results