CODE ORANGE – Winnipeg becomes 1st Canadian City to issue Mandatory Mask Policy

The rise of infections in Winnipeg has raised the COVID-19 threat level to oranges

As of Monday, Sept. 28, masks will be mandatory in all indoor public places in these communities. Gatherings will also be restricted to 10 people, both indoors and outdoors. This effectively raises the threat level to orange.  

Winnipeg’s five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 2.6 per cent and 53 new cases of the virus have been identified as of 9:30 a.m. yesterday, bringing the number of cases in Manitoba to 1,764.  

These restrictions will remain in place for a minimum of four weeks (two incubation periods of the virus). Further direction or additional restrictions may be put in place by public health at any time. All other existing orders and rules for schools, child care, retail, museums, theatres and casinos will remain the same for the time being.  

In addition to these measures, government and public health officials are consulting with the restaurant industry as well as bars, beverage rooms, brew pubs, microbreweries and distilleries on steps that could be implemented to lower the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Additional measures may be put in place following these consultations.

Unless recommended by public health officials, only individuals experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should go for testing. Individuals with symptoms are asked to seek testing as soon as possible once symptoms are present. Employers are asked to only send employees for testing if they have symptoms or if testing has been recommended by public health officials.  

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