Phase Two: Restoring Safe Services

Food and beverages may be served following the guidelines for restaurants/food service, which can be found at https://www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/restoring/index.html. 

Administrative staff may be on-site and meet with students. However, the occupancy is limited to 50 per cent of the usual capacity of the space, or a maximum of 25 students, whichever is less. Physical distancing of two metres between individuals must be maintained where reasonably possible. Additional guidelines for vocational colleges can be found at https://www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/restoring/index.html. 

At this time group singing is not recommended. If groups do sing they should follow limits on public gatherings (50 indoors or 100 outdoors). Additional guidelines for singers and instrumentalists can be found at https://manitoba.ca/covid19/restoring/music-guidelines.html.

Retreat centres and similar businesses can offer overnight accommodations at this time as long as members of the public can reasonably maintain a distance of two metres apart with the exception of brief encounters. Food establishments inside these businesses must follow the restrictions laid out for all food establishments. Amenities may reopen if businesses that exclusively offer such services can reopen at this time. If they may reopen, they must follow the same regulations for businesses that offer those services. For example, amenities such as fitness centres and pools may reopen but must follow the restrictions businesses of that nature must follow while saunas and indoor theatres must remain closed at this time. 

We encourage you to review the information and guidelines available in Manitoba’s Restoring Safe Services website at https://www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/restoring/index.html. It contains a variety of resources for businesses and industries. While there may not be a document specific to your situation, many of the guidelines may apply to your business and be useful in planning how to move forward.

Retreat centres should follow the guidelines for community centres, which can be found at https://www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/restoring/index.html. Retreat centres can be reopened if they are used for activities that are currently allowed and follow the specific guidelines provided for those activities. 

Martial arts studios are classified under Schedule A of the public health order issued June 18, 2020. Effective June 21, a business listed in Schedule A of the public health order, including a martial arts studio, may open if they implement measures to ensure that people are reasonably able to maintain a separation of at least two metres from other members of the public and limit the occupancy to 50% of the usual occupancy of the premises or one person per 10 square metres of the premises that are open to the public, whichever is lower.

In addition to the requirements for martial arts studios, each sports organization and/or facility must establish a plan for how to minimize physical contact and the risk of COVID-19 transmission between participants. Individual or group activities that have close prolonged face-to-face contact (e.g. martial arts) are higher risk, and will require some modification of the sport or activity to minimize this type of contact.

To assist organizations return to sports the province has developed guidance that will help participants and organizers responsible for recreational activities (e.g. provincial and local/municipal authorities, sports, and recreation organizations, coaches and leaders) consider the risks associated with recreational activities in Manitoba during the COVID-19 pandemic. It provides examples of strategies that may be implemented to reduce potential risks. Each sport or recreational activity group/organization and/or facility must establish a plan to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission between participants and spectators. Guidelines including the risk assessment and mitigation tool can be found online at https://www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/restoring/sports-guidelines.html.

Organizations are responsible for their own plan and to ensure activities are in compliance with the public health orders. At this time the province will not be approving plans. If organizations have questions specific to health guidance around modifications they can contact AskHealth at https://forms.gov.mb.ca/Ask_Health.

Businesses can call the Manitoba Economic Support Centre at 1-888-805-7554 for information and guidance on the supports available for businesses. Additional information about provincial and federal financial support for businesses can be found at https://www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/business/index.html.  

Children from different households must sit 2 metres apart in the vehicle. Children from the same household do not need to adhere to the 2 metre distance. 

Public health recommends that children taking shared transportation clean their hands before boarding and upon arrival at their destination. Passengers should be reminded that while in the vehicle, they should not touch their face, follow cough etiquette and avoid eating. 

Installing a Plexiglas shield by the driver is consistent with best practices. If the driver has a Plexiglas shield, PPE would not be recommended although they could consider wearing a non-medical mask. Additional workplace guidance for business owners can be viewed online at https://manitoba.ca/covid19/restoring/guidance.html. 

Other important considerations related to transportation include:

• Keep passenger manifests for 21 days to ensure appropriate public health follow-up can take place if a child is exposed to COVID-19 during transport. No additional information than what is already collected is required.
• Parent/guardian must screen children each day prior to boarding the vehicle. Children who are ill are not to board the vehicle or attend the event. Should the child become ill during transport, the child must be screened and immediately isolated upon arrival, and contact the parent/guardian to pick-up their child.
• Opening windows is recommended (weather permitting) as increased ventilation reduces the risk of transmission.
• It is recommended that vehicles be cleaned/disinfected before and after every route, at minimum once a day.

Newborn photography services may be offered as long as two metres of separation can be maintained between those offering and receiving the service, except for brief exchanges. Public health officials continue to advise people to physically distance themselves from members outside of their household. Therefore photographers should limit the time of interactions. Members of the same household do not need to physically distance themselves from each other. 

Personal protective equipment may be used to protect the photographer and clients. However, businesses should not rely solely on personal protective equipment to reduce the risk of COVID-19. The general recommendations of staying home when sick, physical distancing, good hand hygiene, and proper respiratory etiquette remain the most important and effective measures.

Additional information on reducing risk and preventing spread of COVID-19 can be found at https://manitoba.ca/covid19/index.html. The level of risk that individuals and businesses are comfortable with is different for every person. Each person and business needs to decide their comfort level of risk related to COVID-19.

There are no changes to hair stylists, barbers or personal services businesses, such as nail salons, at this time. Conditions outlined in earlier phases continue to apply. These businesses must limit occupancy to 50 per cent of normal business levels or one person per 10 square metres, and implement measures to ensure that members of the public are reasonably able to maintain a separation of at least two metres from others, except for brief exchanges. 

Additional information for hair stylists and personal services businesses can be found at https://www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/restoring/index.html.