Manitobans will remain in a state of level red restrictions through the holidays until Jan. 8, with some amendments to account for gaps in the current public health orders.
Premier Brian Pallister joined chief public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin for the daily COVID-19 update to explain the extension of public health orders, as well as refinements, which they said come from listening to Manitobans.
That includes allowing drive-in church services, an about-face from the province’s earlier stance. The original order that disallowed drive-in services was challenged in court by Springs Church, and Chief Justice Glenn Joyal of the Manitoba Court of Queen’s Bench rejected the challenge this past Saturday.
"An Open Letter to Springs Church," published in Monday’s Brandon Sun and signed by numerous clergy in Manitoba and beyond, was a strongly worded indictment of that church’s behaviour.
The Sun reached out to Rev. Chad McCharles of Neepawa, one of the signatories, for comment on the province’s reversal.
"Reverend Chad has no comment since the letter says it all," Neepawa United-Anglican Shared Ministry replied by email.
The drive-in services, while allowed, will be subject to enforcement to ensure everyone in attendance are one household per car only and people remain in their cars.
When questioned Tuesday afternoon, Roussin said the province heard from Manitobans.
"We’ve engaged leaders in faith-based communities, and everyone’s on board. They know how important it is to adhere to this. We’ve had this on the table for some time now to be able to move in this direction," Roussin said.
Pallister, meanwhile, said it’s crucial that Manitobans continue to limit their close contacts and only gather with members of their household this holiday season.
"That’s going to be difficult. It’s going to be lonely for many. But the best thing we can do now for our loved ones is to stay apart so that we may be together in person next year," he said.
He also said the level red restrictions are being extended because they are working and beginning to make a difference.
Pallister then listed other provinces, noting the rise in COVID-19 case in those jurisdictions last week versus the week before — such as Canada as a whole being up 14.8 per cent. British Columbia saw a rise in cases of 30.7 per cent, with Alberta seeing a rise of 18.5 and Saskatchewan 21.6 per cent, and so on.
He stressed that in that same time period, Manitoba’s case load went down 0.4 per cent.
He said it’s not time for a victory lap, but Manitobans need to know that together they are making a difference.
The Brandon Sun did ask if Pallister had suggestions for Manitobans who may already be lonely due to restrictions and for whom a restricted Christmas might exacerbate that loneliness as Christmas approaches.
"I’ve been criticized for breaking down too often, so I’m not going to start talking about seniors and Christmas. I was raised by my grandparents. Every time I start talking about seniors, I think of them at Christmas and it breaks me up," he said.
"So don’t confuse my willingness to put my heart on my sleeve for a lack of resolve to fight COVID. I will say it all Manitobans — call somebody. They’ll appreciate the phone call. Please reach out. Don’t let people feel alone at this time of year. Do that, that’ll be much appreciated."
Though he noted he would be speaking in more detail about vaccines today, he said that for the first round Manitoba would receive 15 per cent more vaccination doses than originally planned — from 66,000 to 75,600. That increase is due to Manitoba having a "disproportionately large at-risk Indigenous population."
He also stressed the vaccine isn’t here yet, and when it does come, it will come in small numbers.
The new orders had yet to be finalized yesterday, but they will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, as the current orders expire at 11:59 p.m. on Friday.
