New restrictions for all Manitobans start Tuesday for private, public gatherings

New capacity restrictions for gatherings will take effect in Manitoba on Tuesday, putting a smaller cap on the number of people allowed to gather in public and private settings ahead of the holiday season.

Chief Provincial Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin announced the new rules at a news conference with Health Minister Audrey Gordon on Friday.

Indoor private gatherings will be limited to members of a household plus 10 people, if everyone is vaccinated against COVID-19.

For gatherings where even one person age 12 or older is unvaccinated, the limit will be household members plus five others.

For public indoor gatherings, capacity will be limited to 25 per cent or 25 people, whichever is lower. Outdoors, only 50 people will be allowed to gather, Roussin said.

Gyms, theatres, licensed venues and museums will all have their capacity cut down to 50 per cent. Restaurant guests will have to stay seated, and a maximum of 10 people per table will be allowed at both licensed and unlicensed restaurants.

The new rules will begin at midnight and remain in place for three weeks, expiring on Jan. 11, Roussin said.

Faith-based gatherings that require people to show proof of vaccination be limited to 50 per cent capacity.

Those that don't require people to be immunized will have the same rules as indoor public gatherings — 25 per cent capacity or 25 people, whichever is lower.

Rules will change for indoor and outdoor sports, too. No tournaments will be allowed. While games and practices can go on, spectator capacity will be reduced to 50 per cent. 

Large indoor events will also be reduced to 50 per cent capacity, Roussin said. Settings that previously required people to show proof of vaccination will still have to do so.

More to come

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Manitoba's health minister and chief provincial public health officer are set to speak at a news conference Friday afternoon to give an update on public health orders.