Strict new rules for unvaccinated Manitobans, Southern Health retail restrictions to start Tuesday
CBC
Manitoba is bringing in new rules for unvaccinated people starting Tuesday as it works to prevent its health-care system from once more being overwhelmed by an increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations — a surge largely driven by people who aren't fully immunized.
Chief Provincial Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin and Health Minister Audrey Gordon outlined the new rules and announced the province is moving back to the restricted orange level of the pandemic response system at a news conference at noon Friday.
The one exception to the shift to orange is schools, which will remain open at the caution yellow level of the response system, though individual sites can still be moved to remote learning as needed, Roussin said.
Gordon thanked Manitobans who have already gotten vaccinated and urged the nearly 400,000 who haven't to do so.
"To keep our children in schools, to not postpone medical procedures, to keep our friends, families and neighbours safe, please — I'm begging you to get vaccinated," she said.
Many of the new rules focus on situations where there are people present who are eligible to be vaccinated but have not been, Roussin said.
Private gatherings will be restricted to two households if any person at the gathering has chosen not to get vaccinated.
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