Dear Downtown Winnipeg BIZ Member,

There’s nothing quite like the gratitude felt when you finally experience something you haven’t been able to enjoy in so long. On the weekend, I checked out The Beer Can @ The Fortune Block downtown. What was once a vacant lot is now a relaxed, fun and cool-looking space full of physically distanced picnic tables, a bar built into a shipping container and plenty of friendly faces. I couldn’t help but feel the buzzing anticipation of the coming weeks, the resiliency of our downtown and the excitement for the initiatives the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ has coming up.

Phase Three to begin June 21 – lifts capacity restrictions for many businesses

The Province has announced Phase Three of the reopening plan will begin this weekend, starting Sunday, June 21. Following stakeholder feedback, the Province has updated its draft plan for restaurants, bars and similar businesses.

Restaurants

Capacity restrictions have been lifted. Restaurants may operate at full capacity both on patios and indoor spaces as long as tables and seating are arranged so there is a permanent or temporary physical barrier or a two-metre separation between persons sitting at different tables. Restaurants must implement measures to ensure that members of the public, when not seated, are reasonably able to maintain a separation of at least two metres from others, except for brief exchanges.
View all of the guidelines for restaurants (PDF).

Bars, Beverage Rooms, Brew Pubs, Microbreweries and Distilleries

Bars, beverage rooms, microbreweries and similar businesses may increase to full capacity both on patios and indoor spaces as long as patrons are seated at a table and tables are arranged so that there is at least a two-metre separation between persons sitting at different tables. Standing service is not allowed. Dance floors are to remain closed.
View all of the guidelines for bars and beverage rooms (PDF).

Retail

Occupancy limits have been removed. Retail businesses may operate at full capacity provided they implement measures to ensure that members of the public are reasonably able to maintain a separation of at least two metres from others, except for brief exchanges.
View all of the guidelines for retail businesses (PDF).

Therapeutic and Health Care Businesses

Occupancy limits have been lifted for regulated and non-regulated health professions, including registered massage therapists. Service providers must continue to implement measures to ensure that members of the public are reasonably able to maintain a separation of at least two metres from others, except for brief exchanges.
View all of the guidelines for therapeutic and health care businesses (PDF).

VLT Lounges, Bingo Halls, Billiard Rooms and Other Indoor Amusement Centres

All businesses will be required to limit occupancy to 50 per cent of normal business levels and limit congregation of groups. Patrons must be able to maintain a distance of at least two metres, except for brief exchanges. These businesses and services should review workplace guidance for business owners.

View all of the guidelines for VLT lounges, bingo halls, billiard rooms and other indoor amusement centres (PDF).

Public Gatherings

Indoor gathering limits are increased to up to 50 and outdoor gathering limits are increased to up to 100 people.

Please note, changes in the final Phase Three plan, are in addition to those introduced in Phase One and Phase Two. Conditions outlined in earlier phases continue to apply. For more info, view the Province’s detailed public health guidance for businesses.

See the full plan for Phase 3 of Restoring Services Safely.

COVID-19 Survey #3 results show challenges to reopening

Thank you to everyone who filled out our survey last week about reopening, what it means for your business and how the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ can support you. We appreciate your feedback and are sharing some of our key findings from our most recent survey, completed by over 80 BIZ members...

Members told us they’re looking for the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ to support them by showing customers that downtown businesses are following safety protocols, and encouraging downtown offices to safely transition their employees from working at home, back to the office. We are working on a recovery plan to address both of those needs which includes bringing together a group of large employers and major office buildings to gather data and share best practices for return to work plans. In addition, we are planning some new marketing and promotional initiatives throughout the summer and fall that will help encourage folks to spend time downtown again.

Pink curbside pickup zones

You may have noticed some curbs around downtown are painted bright pink. We’ve made these areas available to folks who are still taking advantage of curbside pick-up options from restaurants and retailers. Please let us know if you have any feedback on these curbside pick-up locations, if you think they’re helpful or if you have concerns: Tracey@downtownwinnipegbiz.com

Fitness in the Park starts June 22

Let’s get physical while we physically distance! We’re starting to see Downtown Winnipeg become a little busier and we’re happy to announce that we’re starting Fitness in the Park again, 5 days a week from 12:00pm-12:45pm. You can download and print posters: 8.5"x11" PDF or 11"x17" PDF.

Schedule:
Mondays 9Round at Manitoba Legislative Grounds (west lawn)
Tuesdays Yoga Public at Millennium Library Park
Wednesdays MORFIT at Millennium Library Park
Thursdays Yoga Public at Millennium Library Park
Fridays MORFIT at Manitoba Legislative Grounds (west lawn)

Skywalk opens Monday

Great news! The Skywalk system connecting Downtown Winnipeg, as well as the underground Portage and Main concourse is scheduled to reopen on Monday, June 22. The BIZ team has worked with the City of Winnipeg and building owners to plan for a safe re-opening of the Skywalk, which has been closed since early April.

Resources for equipment needed for reopening

The online resource, b2bmanitoba.ca, connects businesses with items including cleaning products, clothing, gloves, masks, sanitizer, shields and more. At b2bmanitoba.ca, you can view items for sale, contact sellers and request items.

As a reminder, the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ has no cost posters and floor decals (thanks to the generous support from Lorne from PrintedShirts.ca) available for members. To request floor decals and/or posters, please contact us at info@downtownwinnipegbiz.com or 204-958-4640. Additionally, you can download and print posters: 8.5"x11" PDF or 11"x17" PDF.

The following Downtown Winnipeg BIZ members have PPE for sale:

• Lake of the Woods Brewing Company (hand sanitizer)
• Made here (hand sanitizer and cloth face masks)
• The Forks Trading Company (hand sanitizer)
• Pictures-Frames and More (disposable face masks and face shields)
• Seam-Fit Tailoring (cloth face masks)
• Santa Convenience (disposable face masks)
• Boomerang 360 (cloth face masks)
• Rexall Drugstore Cityplace (gloves, hand sanitizer and disposable face masks)
• Family Foods (hand sanitizer and gloves)

Again, please don't hesitate to reach out of there is anything we can do to support you.

Thank you,

Kate Fenske, CEO
Downtown Winnipeg BIZ