Pandemic Response System

Individuals who test positive for COVID-19, with a laboratory-based test or a rapid antigen test, OR who have COVID-19 symptoms and choose not to be tested, must immediately isolate. The isolation period requirements differ based on vaccination status:

• People who are fully vaccinated and do not have symptoms need to isolate for five days from the date of their positive test. 
• People who are fully vaccinated and have symptoms need to isolate for five days from the day their symptoms started or the date of the test, whichever is later. They must also continue to isolate until they no longer have a fever and their other symptoms have been improving over the past 24 hours.
• People who are not fully vaccinated need to isolate for 10 days from the date of their positive test. They must also continue to isolate until they no longer have a fever and their other symptoms have been improving over the past 24 hours.

Note: Fully vaccinated people who have finished a reduced isolation period must wear a medical grade mask in public settings for five days and avoid any non-essential visits to high-risk settings or non-essential contact with individuals at high risk for severe disease.

• Close contacts of a person with COVID-19, unless otherwise exempt, must immediately go into mandatory self-isolation (quarantine) for 10 days. If they develop symptoms, they should go for testing.
• Household members of close contacts do not need to self-isolate (quarantine) as long as they and everyone in the household remain without symptoms, and there is no case in the household. If the close contact develops symptoms, all household members, unless otherwise exempt, should self-isolate (quarantine) until the symptomatic individual receives their COVID-19 test result.
• Close contacts may be exempt from self-isolation (quarantine) if they have no symptoms AND are fully immunized at the time of the exposure or have had a COVID-19 infection within the past 6 months. All individuals exempt from self-isolation (quarantine) requirements, should continue to self-monitor for symptoms, and isolate immediately if any develop and go for testing. Anyone exempt from self-isolation (quarantine) should be very careful while the case is isolating and avoid non-essential visits to high-risk settings, and avoid non-essential contact with individuals who are at higher risk of severe disease.
• More information on isolation and self-isolation can be found at manitoba.ca/covid19/fundamentals/self-isolation.html

Residential Gatherings:

Indoors:

• Households are limited to five additional people plus the household when any unvaccinated person (who is eligible to be vaccinated, excluding youth under 12) is present on the property (even if the unvaccinated person lives at that location).
• Households are limited to 10 additional people plus the household when all who are present are fully immunized people are limited to 10 additional people plus the household if all are fully vaccinated (youth aged under 12 and under are exempt from needing to be fully vaccinated).

Outdoors:

• Outdoor gatherings on a private residence are limited to 20 additional people plus the household if all are fully vaccinated (youth aged under 12 and under are exempt from needing to be fully vaccinated).
• Outdoor gatherings on a private residence are limited to 10 additional people plus the household when any unvaccinated person (who is eligible to be vaccinated, excluding youth under 12) is present on the property (even if the unvaccinated person lives at that location).

Public Gatherings:

Indoor:

• Group sizes to 25 people or 25 per cent capacity, whichever is lower, are permitted for gatherings that include unvaccinated people who are eligible to be vaccinated. (Youth aged 12 and under are exempt from needing to be fully vaccinated)
• Groups of fully immunized people and those under 12 who are not eligible for the vaccine may gather as long as the gathering size does not exceed 50% of the usual capacity of the premise, or 250 people, whichever is lower. (Youth aged 12 and under are exempt from needing to be fully vaccinated)

Outdoor:

• Groups of up to 50 people are permitted in uncontrolled outdoor public spaces that include one or more unvaccinated persons. (Youth aged 12 and under are exempt from needing to be fully vaccinated)
• Groups of fully immunized people and those under 12 who are not eligible for the vaccine may gather as long as the gathering size does not exceed 50 per cent of the usual capacity of the area or 250 people, whichever is lower.. (Youth aged 12 and under are exempt from needing to be fully vaccinated)

Proof of Vaccination Guidelines
The public health orders state:

1(5) The occupants of the private residence where a gathering is held are responsible for determining the vaccination status of all persons attending the gathering.

• Proof of vaccination is required for those 12 years of age and older to attend private and public indoor and outdoor gatherings.
• For large-scale gatherings, the digital or physical Manitoba Immunization Card, which includes QR code, must be scanned when a person presents their QR code. This also includes a screenshot or a print-out of the QR code.
• Government-issued identification must be requested and is required to validate the person’s identity as matching the vaccination record provided.
• For information on how to scan the QR code, visit: manitoba.ca/covid19/vaccine/immunizationrecord/businesses.html
• An honour system or self-identification is not an acceptable means of verification.

Mask use is required in indoor public places.

A person who enters or remains in an indoor public place must wear a well-fitting mask in a manner that covers their mouth, nose and chin without gapping. An indoor public space includes:

• any part of a retail store where the public has access;
• any part of the common areas of a residential building;
• a health care facility;
• an educational institution or facility;
• an elevator;
• a motor vehicle used for public transportation, including a bus, taxi, limousine or other vehicle for hire; and
• a bus shelter, pedestrian tunnel or enclosed pedestrian walkway.

The operator of an indoor public place must ensure that every person who is not wearing a mask while in the indoor public place is given a reminder to do so as soon as possible following entry.

In addition, employees, contractors or operators of an indoor public place do not need to wear a mask while they are in an area where members of the public do not normally have access, or if they are behind a non-permeable physical barrier, including a plexiglass barrier.

People can temporarily remove their mask while in an indoor public place:

• to receive a service that requires the removal of their mask,
• to consume food or drink;
• to deal with an emergency or medical purpose, or
• to establish their identity.

People who do not have to wear masks include:

• a child who is under five years of age;
• a person with a medical condition that is unrelated to COVID-19, including breathing or cognitive difficulties or a disability, which prevents them from safely wearing a mask;
• a person who is swimming or engaged in other athletic activities; and
• a person who is unable to put on or remove a mask without the assistance of another person.

What is considered an indoor public space?

An indoor public space includes:

• any part of a retail store where the public has access;
• any part of the common areas of a residential building;
• a health care facility;
• an educational institution or facility;
• an elevator;
• a motor vehicle used for public transportation, including a bus, taxi , limousine or other vehicle for hire; and
• a bus shelter, pedestrian tunnel or enclosed pedestrian walkway.

This order does not apply to a child care centre or a child care home.

• Please refer to Shared Health’s updates at: sharedhealthmb.ca/covid19/providers/ltc-and-pch-resources/

• Travel north of the 53rd parallel is not permitted. Some exemptions apply, including Manitobans who live in that region, employees of critical businesses, government officials and health care providers. For more information on other requirements and exemptions, read the public health order or see the additional restrictions.
• Travel to communities that are not connected to the provincial highway system by a year-round all-weather road (remote communities) is not permitted. Some exemptions apply, including Manitobans who live in that region, employees of critical businesses, government officials and health care providers. For more information on other requirements and exemptions, read the public health order or see the additional restrictions.
• Manitobans should not travel between regions under different public health restrictions except for essential purposes. For example, those living in a region where retail stores are limited to selling essential-only items should not travel to a region that has fewer restrictions on retail to halt the spread of the virus and keep those in each region safe.
• Public health officials strongly recommend that COVID-19 testing occur before travel to First Nations and Indigenous and Northern Relations communities, and before someone returns to a community if a resident has been away for more than 48 hours. Testing is recommended for individuals who have not received any or an incomplete series of vaccine.
• Testing is not routinely recommended for individuals who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 AND two weeks have passed since their last dose*.
• Individuals are considered fully vaccinated: 
• two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series, such as the Pfizer, Moderna, or Astra Zeneca vaccines, or
• two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine.
• two weeks after being fully immunized outside Canada with COVID-19 vaccines that are not approved in Canada, but are on the WHO Emergency Use Listing are also considered fully immunized.
  
• For more information on testing see www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/prs/orders

*Note: Individual First Nation communities may have further testing guidance in place that should be followed for all people traveling into those communities, including those who are fully immunized.

• Fully vaccinated (two doses) individuals can travel within Canada without being required to self-isolate (quarantine) for 14 days upon arrival back in the province.
• 14 days of self-isolation (quarantine), is still required for people returning or coming to Manitoba from all jurisdictions if they are not fully vaccinated. For information on current exemptions, visit: Self-isolation Exemptions.
• Individuals who travelled internationally must follow federal testing and self-isolation (quarantine) requirements.
• See the State of Emergency and Current Public Health Orders page for more information and exemptions to self-isolation

• Proof of vaccination is required for those 12 years of age and older to attend certain businesses and events, including indoor and outdoor dining.
• People must present official documentation confirming they are fully immunized against COVID-19. For Manitobans, this includes the Manitoba immunization card, the Pan-Canadian proof of vaccination credential. For people from outside of the province, refer to official vaccination records issued by other jurisdictions.
• When a person presents digital or physical Manitoba Immunization Card, which includes QR code, the QR Code must be scanned. This also includes a screenshot or a print-out of the QR code.
• Government-issued identification must be requested and is required to validate the person’s identity as matching the vaccination record provided.
• An honour system or self-identification is not an acceptable means of verification.
• For information on how to scan the QR code, visit: manitoba.ca/covid19/vaccine/immunizationrecord/businesses.html
• Food courts must follow the same regulations. Seating areas in food courts need to have controlled access points and proof of vaccination checks at entry points.
• Individuals are not required to provide proof of vaccination to enter a site for the sole purpose of picking up takeout or delivery orders.

• Retail capacity is permitted at 50 per cent in the Southern Health-Santé Sud health region.
• Retail capacity is permitted at 100 per cent in the Interlake-Eastern, Northern, Prairie Mountain, Winnipeg health regions, and at a retail business that is located in the Town of Niverville or in the Rural Municipalities of St. Francois Xavier, Cartier, Headingley, Macdonald, Ritchot or Taché in the Southern Health Region.
  
• May open provided the operator of the business takes actions to ensure two metres of separation of customers. Masks are required indoors.
• Food courts must follow the rules set out for restaurants in the public health order.

• Day camps are limited to no more than 25 campers and camper groups must be cohorted.
• Over night camps are prohibited under these orders.
• Family child-care homes and child-care centres can open and operate in accordance with applicable legislation: COVID-19 Early Learning and Child Care Practice Guidance (pdf) A revised Coronavirus (COVID-19) Early Learning and Child Care Practice Guidance document with technical information will be distributed within the next few weeks to reflect the new public health directives.

Outdoor Sports and Recreation:

• No capacity limits for participants.
• Spectator capacity limited to 50 per cent of the capacity of a place or 250 people, whichever is lower. This includes other teams who are not active on the field of play and spectators should maintain a two-metre distance whenever reasonably possible.
• No group activities outside of practice time or games, come ready to play and limit group time indoors (e.g. in dressing rooms).

Indoor Sports and Recreation:

• All parent, coaches and spectators aged 18 and up will also need to be fully immunized and require proof of vaccination.
• Indoor sporting and recreation capacity is reduced to 50 per cent for spectators or 250 people, whichever is lower. While games and practices can continue, no tournaments will be permitted.
• No group activities outside of practice time or games, come ready to play and limit group time indoors (e.g. in dressing rooms).

COVID-19 Rapid Testing for Youth (12-17) for Indoor Sports:

As of Dec. 6, 2021, public health orders require youth aged 12 to 17 years attending indoor sporting and recreational facilities (including schools) to provide proof that they have received at least one dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine for COVID‑19.

If they have not had at least one dose, they must provide proof of a pharmacist-confirmed negative result from an approved rapid antigen test, from a test take within the 72 hours before they participate. The public health orders do not allow other health care providers to confirm a test result.

For clarification, approved rapid COVID-19 tests include (a) the Abbott PanBio COVID-19 antigen test; (b) the BD Veritor COVID-19 antigen test; and (c) any other test for COVID-19 approved by the chief provincial public health officer.

Required proof of vaccination/testing includes:

• Proof of full vaccination (required for those 18 and older) will require a government-issued immunization card that contains a QR code, as well as government-issued identification or a school ID card to verify the youth’s identity. Manitoba immunization cards can be requested on the government of Manitoba website at www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/vaccine/immunizationrecord/residents.html#immunization-cards or by calling 1‑844‑MAN‑VACC (1‑844‑626‑8222).
• Proof of a single dose of vaccination will require a printout or web view of the individual’s government-issued immunization record as well as government-issued identification or a school ID card to verify the student’s identity. A printout or web view of proof of a single dose of vaccination is available by registering on the Shared Health website at https://sharedhealthmb.ca/covid19/test-results/.
• Proof of a negative result from an approved rapid antigen test within the 72 hours before participation must be confirmed by a pharmacist and supported by government-issued identification or a school ID card to verify the youth’s identity.  The orders do not allow other health care providers to confirm a test result. Youth that choose testing should verify with their local pharmacy that test kits are available.

Students choosing to test are responsible for purchasing the test. Families are encouraged to contact their local pharmacy to confirm if the pharmacy provides these tests. In addition, pharmacies set their own prices for the service, so people are encouraged to ask about the cost.

Youth subject to the orders who have been granted a medical exemption are not required to undergo testing. Only Manitoba Health and Seniors Care can approve medical exemptions.

Provincial COVID-19 testing sites are not to be used for testing pertaining to these orders. Provincial COVID-19 testing sites are for the testing of symptomatic individuals and individuals directed to be tested by public health officials.

All other public health orders and guidance will continue to be followed. It is the responsibility of the facility operator (including public and independent schools) to ensure the public health orders are followed.

Fact Sheet for Facilities: Public Health Orders for Indoor Youth Sports Provincial Implementation Guidance (pdf)

Fact Sheet for Schools: Public Health Orders for Indoor Youth Sports Provincial Implementation Guidance (pdf)

For more information, visit: manitoba.ca/covid19/testing/testing-youth-indoor-sports.html

• Limited to 50 per cent capacity or 250 people, whichever is lower.
• Proof of vaccination will be required. Masks remain required when not actively engaged in physical activity

• Professional sports performing arts events and concert halls may open for fully immunized to a maximum of 50 per cent capacity or 250 people, whichever is lower.
• Unvaccinated children 12 and under may attend/visit these events if accompanied by a fully vaccinated member of their household.

• Seasonal outdoor facilities or events may operate at 50 per cent capacity capacity or 250 people, whichever is lower if everyone attending provides proof of immunization, or are under 12 years of age.
• Outdoor fairs, festivals and other outdoor major community events may be held if the number of persons attending does not exceed 50 persons if there is at least one unvaccinated person.
  

• May operate at 50 per cent capacity
• or 250 people, whichever is lower.
• Museums may operate at 50 per cent capacity under the requirement to show proof of vaccination (indoors only) when open to the public as a museum.
  • If the museum is used as a private venue for another purpose (e.g. wedding), then the appropriate orders apply.
• Proof of vaccination will be required for movie theatres and concert halls.
• Mask use is required.

• May open at 50 per cent capacity.
• Mask use is required.
• Proof of vaccination is not required.

• May operate at 50 per cent capacity or 250 people, whichever is lower, with maximum table capacity of 10 persons.
• Proof of vaccination is required for those 12 years of age and older to attend indoor and outdoor dining.
• Members of the public are required to be seated except when travelling to get food or beverages or engaging in sporting activities.
• Liquor service must end at 10 p.m. each day.
• Food courts must follow these same regulations.
• Individuals are not required to provide proof of vaccination to enter for the sole purpose of picking up takeout or delivery orders.
• Individuals are required to wear masks.

• May open as long as the business implements measures outlined in the public health order.

• Restrictions are province-wide.
• Indoors: Gatherings are limited to 50 per cent capacity or 250 people, whichever is lower, with proof of vaccination, or 25 per cent capacity or a total of 25 people, whichever is lower, when proof of vaccination is not required; cohorts may be implemented if the facility can physically divide the space into separate areas, in which case several cohorts of up to 25 can attend the same service. The total number of attendees at a service may not exceed 25 per cent of facility capacity, to a maximum of 250 people.
• Outdoors: Gatherings restricted to fully immunized people and those under 12 years of age are limited to 50 per cent of the usual capacity of the space or 250 persons, whichever is less.Outdoor gatherings that include one or more unvaccinated people (if they are 12 years of age or older)are limited to up to 50 people are permitted in uncontrolled outdoor public spaces.
• Drive-in services continue unrestricted.
• Physical distancing is required.
• Cohorts must not mingle, masks must be worn and physical distancing rules apply.

• Regulated professions, massage therapists and athletic therapists can continue to provide services.
• Non-regulated health services, such as pedorthists and reflexologists, can open with adequate physical distancing and requirements to collect information for contact tracing purposes.
• Therapeutic care services, such as regulated professions like physician/dentist offices, massage therapists and athletic therapists, as well as non-regulated health services, such as pedorthists and reflexologists, can make their own decisions about mask requirements as they are a private business.

• Permitting indoor public gathering group sizes to 25 people or 25 per cent capacity, whichever is lower, for gatherings that include unvaccinated people who are eligible to be vaccinated.
• Outdoor weddings and funerals are limited to 50 people, or if an outdoor venue has a capacity limit, the allowed capacity is 50 per cent or 250 people, whichever is lower.

• Indoor and outdoor gathering limits apply. Mask use is required.

• May open with proof of vaccination required. Mask use is required.
• Casinos and VLTs are limited to 50 per cent capacity or 250 people, whichever is lower, and must continue to restrict admission to those who are fully vaccinated (youth aged 12 and under are exempt).