COVID-19 Daily updates - Saturday, Mar. 28
- Details
- Published on Saturday, March 28, 2020
2:55 p.m. Half of Manitoba businesses already feeling financial strain of COVID-19
The Manitoba Chamber of Commerce (MCC), has noted a recent survey distributed to their business members had some notable results.
The survey of almost 700 businesses revealed that half of them are already dealing with what they deemed "Significant financial strain," due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Even more concerning is that 80 per cent of the province’s small to medium sized companies (defined as up to 50 employees for the purposes of the survey) are reporting significant financial impact. Two-thirds of companies feel access to emergency financial supports and provincial and federal tax relief would be beneficial.
This survey was commisioned by the MCC between Mar. 20 to 25, and conducted by Leger Marketing.
11:30 a.m. 25 new cases announced in Manitoba.
Public health officials advise 25 additional probable cases of COVID-19 have been identified as of 9:30 a.m., bringing the total number of lab-confirmed positive and probable positive cases in Manitoba to 64 at this time. Total number of deaths reported in Manitoba remains at one. The public is reminded that under The Public Health Act, new measures will be in place, effective 12:01 a.m. on Monday, Mar. 30:
• Public gatherings will be limited to no more than 10 people at any indoor or outdoor place or premises. This includes places of worship, gatherings and family events such as weddings and funerals. This does not apply to a facility where health care or social services are provided including child-care centres and homeless shelters.
• Retail businesses including grocery or food stores, shopping centres, pharmacies or gas stations must ensure separation of one to two metres between patrons assembling in the business.
• Public transportation facilities must also ensure that people assembling at the facility are reasonably able to maintain a separation of one to two metres.
Other restrictions first introduced in a public health order issued on Mar. 20 also remain in effect.
Public health officials are strongly advising all Manitobans, including health-care providers, to cancel or postpone any non-essential travel. This includes international travel and travel within Canada. There should be no recreational, tourist or non-essential personal travel. In addition, public health officials recommended that effective March 23, anyone returning from international or domestic travel should self-isolate and self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days following their return.
Any person concerned about their exposure to or risk of having COVID-19 should call Health Links–Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or toll-free at 1-888-315-9257 to be screened to see if a test is required.
A community testing site will open Monday, March 30 in Pine Falls at École Powerview School, 33 Vincent St., from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday. This brings the total to 15 community testing sites including six drive-thru locations. The public is reminded that a referral to these sites is needed and they are not walk-in clinics. Information on locations and hours of operation are available at www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/locations.html.
