COVID-19 restrictions on Tuesday, and it’s drawing some mixed reactions.Sports and recreation tournaments will be allowed to resume.“It’s a step in the right direction in that we are getting back to what some sort of new normal is going to be,” Manitoba Chambers of Commerce president and CEO Chuck Davidson told Global News.“In terms of what’s going to change, I think not much is going to change for Manitobans, it’s only going to be those larger events and I think limited larger events in the short term.” Manitoba to gradually relax health restrictions, expand business, arts supports: Stefanson Davidson said he was pleased to see additional supports for arts and cultural organizations, but the updated public health orders don’t provide much change for the restaurant and hospitality sector.“I think what we’re really looking for is what’s the next step,” he said. “The real industry that’s been impacted is hospitality, and restaurants still being able to only operate at 50 per cent capacity is a huge challenge.”The province is aiming to have no restrictions in place by the springtime.
Virologist Jason Kindrachuk says we should proceed with caution, and be ready to pivot when the virus pivots.“The virus has thrown Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron at us so far.
Our assumption should be that there likely is going to be something else coming after Omicron,” Kindrachuk said.“If by springtime we can have everything open and the virus under control, that would be great, I don’t think anybody would debate that, but we’re not at that point yet.