As Manitoba moves closer to the second phase of its reopening plan, no new cases of COVID-19 were detected May 29.
The province will enter phase two June 1, with most businesses and activities allowed to resume, albeit with restrictions.
A ban preventing travel to any community above the 53rd parallel in Manitoba will be relaxed on June 1, allowing direct travle to campgrounds and lodges.
Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba’s chief provincial health officer is still recommending travel to and from the North be avoided if possible.
While no new cases of the virus were detected on May 29, two cases were detected on May 28. Roussin said the two cases are linked and were imported from outside of Manitoba.
“Our advice is to limit travel outside of Manitoba,” he said.
“There’s certain exceptions to that, but [importation of the virus] continues to be Manitoba’s biggest risk. In this case everything was done correctly, and there’s likely very few contacts to these cases.”
If a Manitoba resident returns from out-of-province travel, they are required to self-isolate for 14 days. This requirement does not extend to Flin Flon residents travelling to Creighton or Denare Beach.
Testing numbers have ramped up in the past few days, with Manitoba now regularly processing over 1,000 tests per day. Roussin said more and more people have become eligible for testing and encouraged anyone with COVID-19 symptoms, no matter how mild, to get tested.
“Even if you’re not sure - go for testing,” Roussin said.
“Our capacity to test is there, and this will allow us to identify cases early, isolate cases early, and perform contact investigations… We’re not done with this virus.”
The province has also expanded their targeted asymptomatic testing regimen.
Roussin said he wasn’t going to guess when Manitoba will enter phase three, noting changes to public health orders could come in between phases. The maximum gathering size in the province was adjusted before phase two began.
“We’d like to have two full incubation periods to look at, so we’re looking at three to four weeks [before starting phase three],” Roussin said.
“As soon as we feel it's safe to loosen restrictions, we will do so.”
With phase two beginning and more businesses able to open, Roussin cautioned against relying on mask use to protect yourself. He said businesses should focus on ensuring physical distancing, staying home if sick and hand washing before mask use.
“My advice is not to use the masks as a distraction,” Roussin said.
“If people want to choose to wear masks - again it doesn’t protect yourself, it protects the people around you. You have to be careful and use them appropriately. I use that as a permissive option, something people can consider but it’s got to be in addition to those other factors.”
The Manitoba Teddy Bears’ Picnic has gone virtual. The annual event can draw over 40,000 to Assiniboine Park, but was cancelled due to COVID-19. The Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba will be posting videos to their Facebook page on May 31, showing parents and kids how to host their own Teddy Bears’ picnic at home.
