News Releases

News Release - Manitoba

November 3, 2020

Province Calls on Manitobans to Help Support COVID-19 Front Line

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Help Manitobans by Using HelpNextDoorMB App: Pallister

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The Manitoba government is recruiting volunteers to help support the critical work being done at COVID-19 testing sites and within health-care facilities, Premier Brian Pallister announced today.
 
“Manitobans have a long and proud history of stepping up, facing challenges head on and helping one another, especially during times of need,” said Pallister. “At the beginning of this pandemic we called on Manitobans to join HelpNextDoorMB to connect with those in need of assistance, and thousands of people came forward to help. Now, we are asking for 'Team Manitoba’ to shine again to support our health system’s COVID-19 fight.”
 
The province is asking qualified Manitobans to register to become a health system COVID-19 volunteer using the HelpNextDoorMB app.  
 
Volunteers are needed to help with various tasks at COVID-19 test sites, support screening at health facilities and provide other health system supports to assist our front-line workers, the premier noted.
 
The service will be launched in the Winnipeg and Prairie Mountain Health regions first, with further expansions to be considered in the coming weeks.
 
People who use the HelpNextDoorMB web app and create a profile will be able to select the region of the province and their area of interest with no download necessary. A criminal record check and vulnerable persons check will be automatically performed to ensure safety. Once approved, the volunteer’s contact information will be shared with the respective regional health authority to follow up if a match is identified. 
 
Built by Manitobans for Manitobans, the provincewide online platform was quickly designed and developed by North Forge Technology Exchange, a hybrid incubator and the innovation partner for the Province of Manitoba, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
The www.HelpNextDoorMB.ca web app can also be used to safely match volunteer and community support to needs for goods and services such as grocery and medication delivery, snow clearing and various other necessities. Residents in greatest need, such as the elderly, disabled and those at high risk of contracting COVID-19 during the current global pandemic can greatly benefit from registering.
 
Manitobans can access www.HelpNextDoorMB.ca directly or via www.Manitoba.ca/COVID19.
 
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