Winnipeg braces for possible new pandemic restrictions coming this week

People in Winnipeg are bracing for the possibility of added public health measures this week, after Manitoba's Chief Provincial Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin suggested on Christmas Eve that change was on the way.

That announcement came at an impromptu news conference, where Roussin warned Manitobans to prepare to hear about more restrictions "in the coming days." 

It also came days after the province's latest pandemic rules, which brought new capacity limits across Manitoba, came into effect.

"We're looking at this by the hour," Roussin said. "Manitobans need to prepare that next week, we probably won't have large gatherings."

Roussin spoke alongside Health Minister Audrey Gordon at the last-minute announcement on Friday to urge people to consider cutting their contacts down to even less than what's allowed over the holidays.

"We may be coming back out very soon, much sooner than Manitobans would like, if we're not getting the co-operation that we need to to keep the surge down and ensure that the health and well-being of all Manitobans are protected during this pandemic," Gordon said.

"And I think they can expect that next week will look very different."

Geoffrey Young, who owns Kum Koon Garden restaurant on Winnipeg's King Street, said he's worried about what new rules might be on the way for already struggling restaurants.

People are panicked about coming to work because of COVID-19, Young said, and parties are cancelling for the coming week.

"We have [had] a very tough two years — very, very tough," Young said.

"It's not just for me, it's for all restaurant owners. First you suffer from the COVID, you lost all your business [and] even if you do takeout you won't cover the normal expenses. 

"Whatever happens, we have to face it. That's all we can do."

Robel Arefaine said he's barely had any in-person customers over the weekend at Kokeb Restaurant on Edmonton Street. Usually, he's packed on Christmas Eve.

Arefaine said without government subsidy programs, he would have had to close. And he's not looking forward to how new rules could affect his restaurant.