Household bubbles, kids' activities mulled in Manitoba's reopening over coming weeks

The Manitoba government is considering a broad swath of relaxed COVID-19 rules that could increase outdoor gathering sizes, let familiesform a "bubble" with another household, and see almost all establishments allowed to reopen, including in the retail and indoor recreation sectors.

Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba's chief public health officer, shared a long list of potential rule changes on Thursday that could come into effect as early as next week.

"This is the largest reopening we've done," Roussin said, but "just the nature of this virus makes it a high-risk situation."

Among thepossible changes announced Thursday is giving households the option to pick one other home to be part of a bubble for visits. Both households would have to agree to be each other's designates.

Manitobanscould also opt to stick with the current rulewhich allows each household to designate two peoplefor indoor visits but would have to choose either that approach or the "household bubble" option.

The proposed changes also include raising the limit on outdoor gathering sizesto10, from the current five.

Roussin saidthe proposed changes couldcome into effect at the same timefor the entire province, but not necessarily.

For now,officials are considering implementing some of the changes in two phases over a six-week period, starting as soon as March 5, with another round of changes on March 26.

The province is asking for public feedbackon its suggestions.

WATCH | Proposed changes to pandemic rules onhousehold visits:

Dr. Brent Roussin explains proposed changes to Manitoba pandemic rules about household visits

4 years ago

Duration 0:53

Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba's chief public health officer, said Thursday the province is considering changing pandemic rules to allow households to designate residents of one other household for visits, even if there are more than two residents of each household. Current rules allow households to designate only two visitors.

What might reopen soon

With the exception of the Northern Health Region and some remote First Nations, Manitoba's COVID-19 caseload, hospitalizations, test positivityand death rates have declined, after months of closures introduced last fall.

Officials began loosening some restrictions to allow for a "slow reopening" of some businesses on Jan.23. The changes initially appliedto all areas but the north. Restrictions were relaxed further on Feb. 12, with northern Manitoba included in those changes.

Roussin said it's too soon to say for certain whether the approach to relaxingrules in recent weeks has been effective, though he suggested it's a good sign that numbers haven't generally spiked in that time.

He said even with proposed changes, Manitoba would remain at the red, or critical, level of the province's pandemic response system. All of Manitoba has been at the highest level of that system since Nov. 12.

If some of the changes on the table are implemented, retail stores,restaurants and other businessescould see capacity limits grow to 50 per cent, up from 25 per cent. However, a rule would remain in effectlimiting restaurant patrons to dining only with members of their household.

Indoor theatres,concert venues, bingo halls and casinos would have to remain closed.

Licensed establishments may be permitted to operate VLTs, so long as machines are two metres apart or have barriers between them.

Professional performing arts groups, such as theatre and dance companies and orchestras,may also be allowed to resumerehearsals, as long as they are not open to the public.

Gyms, day camps

Indoor recreation, gyms, rinks, courts, fields, ranges, studios, clubs and poolscould all reopen at25 per cent capacity, but the province may lift a current restrictionthat limits exercise indoor to one-on-one activities.

Group fitness classes may be allowed, but specific gyms would still have to adhere to 25 per cent capacity limits. That means individuals at the gym working out by themselves, as well as group class participants, would count toward a capacity total.

The measures may also allow people at gyms and pools to take off their masks during physical activity, though they would have to mask up in other areas of facilities.

Reopening day camps for kids and youth is also being considered. They would be able tooperate at 25 per cent capacity, with maximum group sizes capped at 50.

Indoor recreational facilities for kids, such asgo-kart tracks or arcades, could open at 25 per cent capacity, andoutdoor amusement parks would be ableoperate at 50 per cent capacity under the proposal.

Caution still needed: Roussin

Roussinwarned Manitoba's COVID-19 outlook could worsen.

Despite dropping case numbers and anexpanded vaccination effort, concern over the spread of more contagious coronavirus variants has led to tightening some rules.

Restrictions related to close contacts of positive cases ramped up earlier this week, and last month officials made it mandatory for most people returning to Manitoba to quarantine for 14 days. Some exemptions apply.

There have been five confirmed Manitoba casesofthe B117coronavirus variant, which was first detected in the U.K. It isconsidered more infectious and may be more deadly.

If the public and businesses aren't careful, the province could end up where it was late last year, Roussin said.

"We've got to keep these numbers down," said Roussin."We have the numbers down, so we also have to try to get things open again, but we have to be very cautious."

WATCH |Reopening must be cautious, Roussin says:

Dr. Brent Roussin says Manitoba reopening must be cautious, even as COVID-19 numbers improve

4 years ago

Duration 0:57

Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba's chief public health officer, said Thursday the province is mulling loosened pandemic restrictions, but must move slowly to prevent a spike in numbers.