A crack-down begins today (Aug. 28) to try and get a handle on increasing COVID-19 cases in the province.
The Manitoba government says if you test positive for the virus, or have been exposed through a close contact, you must self-isolate for 14 days or face a fine up to $486.
The rule has already been in place, but chief public health officer Dr. Brent Rousssin says this will allow officials to immediately fine people daily. He says education is still the preferred method to get everyone to comply with the rules – but they’ll hand out fines if needed.
The tougher measure was implemented after reports of large gatherings in Prairie Mountain Health region – especially in Brandon. Prairie Mountain Health region was elevated to the more restricted ‘Orange’ pandemic response level this past Monday. It requires mandatory mask-use in all indoor public places, and bans gatherings of more than 10 people indoors and outdoors, with some exemptions.
Brandon has 126 active cases – the bulk of the 407 active cases province-wide.