News Releases

News Release - Manitoba

December 4, 2020

Manitoba Government Extends State of Emergency to Protect Manitobans, Reduce Spread of COVID-19

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Continuously Working to Ensure Supportive Measures Available: Schuler

The Manitoba government will extend the provincewide state of emergency under the Emergency Measures Act to continue to protect the health and safety of all Manitobans and help reduce the spread of COVID-19, Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler, minister responsible for the Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization (EMO), announced today.
 
The extension goes into effect Sunday, Dec. 6 at 4 p.m. for a period of 30 days.
 
“The provincial state of emergency is being extended by an additional month to support continued efforts in Manitoba’s COVID-19 response,” said Schuler. “Our government’s priority is on the health and safety of all Manitobans. We are continuously working with health officials and key departments and agencies to ensure that supportive measures are available.”    
  
In support of the public health pandemic response, the EMO activated the Manitoba Emergency Co-ordination Centre (MECC) to support government departments and municipalities in their response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes: 
working with Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living and Shared Health to arrange additional support for personal care home staffing;
establishing a unit to co-ordinate responses to questions by the private and public sectors, including small businesses and municipalities, on interpretation of public health orders and emergency orders;
supporting and leading the provincial COVID-19 testing task force to improve capacity and timeliness of testing;
developing staffing and work deployment plans consistent with orders issued by the chief provincial public health officer, restricting staff from moving between personal care homes as a key measure to reduce risk of COVID-19 outbreaks in these facilities; and
introducing temporary suspension orders for in-person commissioning and witnessing provisions to reduce risk of COVID-19 transmissions.
 
“Our province is constantly adapting to this evolving situation and taking the necessary steps to help flatten the curve and reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our communities and our health-care system,” said Schuler. “Manitobans need to work together to protect their families, friends and themselves.”
 
The state of emergency was first declared on March 20 by the powers set out in section 10(1) and 10(2) of the Emergency Measures Act. 
 
For additional information and to view the state of emergency and public health orders, visit https://manitoba.ca/covid19/restartmb/prs/orders/index.html.
   
For more information on the Emergency Measures Act and a state of emergency, visit:
https://web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/statutes/ccsm/e080e.php.
 
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