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The Manitoba government will close down all businesses except essential services, starting on Wednesday, at least until April 14.

Premier Brian Pallister made the announcement Monday, along with Dr. Brent Roussin, chief provincial health officer.

The list of essential services appears to be similar to Ontario’s.

"Now is not the time for fear, now is the time for knowledge, now is the time for action," Dr. Roussin says. #glbwpg — Diana Foxall (@CJOBdiana) March 30, 2020

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Both Manitoba’s and Ontario’s essential services lists contains 74 general types of businesses that can stay open during the pandemic.

The list includes businesses in the health-care, banking and telecommunications sectors, food service industry, construction, dry cleaning, office supplies, veterinarians and more.

Read the health order and full list below:

Starting Wednesday, salons, spas, bars and other establishments are to be closed.

Restaurants will be allowed to remain open for takeout or delivery only.



1:18 Manitoba orders non-critical businesses to close amid COVID–19 Manitoba orders non-critical businesses to close amid COVID–19

The closures do not affect health-care facilities, government services and other institutions.

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In Manitoba, it’s not likely people will notice a large change in what businesses will stay open.

Restaurants will only be able to serve food for delivery or takeout. Grocery stores will remain open but must permit for appropriate social distancing. Bars are closed. Hair salons and beauty salons will be closed. All of the closures in effect April 1 – 14. #glbwpg — Diana Foxall (@CJOBdiana) March 30, 2020

Numerous businesses have closed down or moved their staff to home offices since the first case was detected in Manitoba just over two weeks ago.

Transit, taxis and ride-sharing can continue to operate. "The operator of the vehicle must take measures to ensure there is a reasonable separation of people in a vehicle." #glbwpg — Diana Foxall (@CJOBdiana) March 30, 2020

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However, the list does provide clarity for those in the service industry, including massage therapists and hair stylists, who will now need to shut down.

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Global News has received numerous emails and questions from local massage therapists, hair stylists and others who have wanted to close down but were unable to for fear of not qualifying for emergency benefits.

Number of cases

Dr. Roussin announced 24 new cases on Monday, bringing the total up to 96.

Dr. Roussin says 24 new cases — total now at 96. Deaths remain at 1. There are 4 ppl in hospital — Brittany Greenslade (@BrittAtGlobal) March 30, 2020

One person has died. Four people are currently in hospital, one in ICU, and two people have recovered.

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Roussin confirms one of the cases since Friday was in the Northern Health Region — Brittany Greenslade (@BrittAtGlobal) March 30, 2020

Cadham Provincial Laboratory performed 1,430 tests over the weekend. As of Monday, 8,550 tests have been performed.

Dr. Roussin emphasized they don’t release personal health information unless there is a public health need to do so. Those who are found to have the virus, the province will talk to those who have been around them.

The same goes for small towns, and the province will not release locations of where a specific case was unless it’s needed, said Roussin, because the advice is the same.

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“Stay home, if you can. If you have to go out, please practice social distancing.” Tweet This

Roussin also asked people not to share rumors.

“Just go for credible information … don’t share unfounded information.”

A community drive-thru testing site opened today in Dauphin at the Manitoba Public Insurance Service Centre, 217 Industrial Rd. Hours are daily from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Another site opened in Pine Falls at École Powerview School, 33 Vincent St. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday.

RAAM clinics will stay open around the province, with some modifications, Siragusa says. When possible, that means virtual or phone visits. If in-person is a must, the clinics will be staggering visits so they can clean appropriately. #glbwpg — Diana Foxall (@CJOBdiana) March 30, 2020

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Over the weekend, health officials noted a spike in cases, including 25 on Saturday and eight on Sunday.

Logistics teams have had to be "creative" in their purchasing. Normally they would deal with 60-70 vendors.. now they are dealing with 600 around the world to try to get gear, equipment etc — Brittany Greenslade (@BrittAtGlobal) March 30, 2020

Province still only testing symptomatic people with travel (either intl or domestic), any health care worker/ or hospitalized patients with symptoms (regardless of their travel history) — Brittany Greenslade (@BrittAtGlobal) March 30, 2020

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Groups of 10 or more are now not allowed to gather in Manitoba, effective Monday morning.

Roussin said those who are diagnosed with COVID-19 and recover at home, are released from imposed isolation after 14 days, but they still must practice social distancing rules.

– with files from Brian Hill

1:03 Coronavirus outbreak: Manitoba to ban gatherings of 10 or more people Coronavirus outbreak: Manitoba to ban gatherings of 10 or more people