Manitoba ministers apologize for not wearing masks indoors during gala photo op
CBC
Two Manitoba cabinet ministers apologized for removing their face masks at an indoor gala on Saturday, and want people in the province to know it was an isolated incident.
Families minister Rochelle Squires, health minister Audrey Gordon and Cathy Cox, the minister of sport, culture and heritage were photographed standing away from their tables, without masks on, inside the Winnipeg Art Gallery in pictures posted to Squires' social media.
Masks are required in all indoor public places in Manitoba unless people are seated to eat or drink.
Gordon, the MLA for Southdale, was asked about her choice to remove her mask for a group picture at a news conference on Monday announcing rapid COVID-19 tests for travellers and apologized for the move.
"I want to comment first by apologizing to Manitobans and in particular as well my constituents in the area of of Southdale. I do believe that as minister of health, I should be held to a higher standard and I have always upheld that standard," she said.
"I want Manitobans to know that the restrictions are there to protect all of us, regardless of where we are and what the event might be, and that this is not going to happen again."
Gordon said she hasn't heard if she will be fined, but will "gladly pay it."
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