Dear Downtown Winnipeg BIZ member,

Each week seems to bring new challenges and today is no different. In an effort to protect Manitobans, the Province has announced more changes that impact which businesses can and cannot be open.

Province Orders the Closure of all Non-Critical Businesses

Today the provincial government announced it is ordering the closure of all non-critical businesses in Manitoba to help deal with the spread of COVID-19. The order will be in effect as of 12:01 a.m. on April 1, 2020 and will be in place until April 14, 2020. The order could be extended if recommended by public health officials.

Who can remain open?

• Food Service: May continue to operate for delivery and take out only.


• Retail: grocery stores, supermarkets, convenience stores, butcher shops, bakeries, hardware, office supply stores, liquor stores, cannabis stores, gas stations, auto repair shops and pharmacies.


• Professional Services: A lawyer, paralegal, accountant, translator, veterinarian, engineer or geoscientist.


• Finances: A bank, credit union, caisse populaire.

For more information and further details:
The province has launched a website to provide support to Manitoba businesses who have questions about the province's recent emergency order to close non-critical businesses. Please visit the site for the full list or to ask the province questions about the public health order.

Watch Downtown Winnipeg BIZ Webinar (recorded)

Business owners are under tremendous strain. We understand that cash, clarity and business continuity are top of mind. As part of our ongoing support during the pandemic, the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ offered a webinar on Business Continuity and Crisis Recovery on March 30, 2020.
Watch the webinar here:

Safety Tips for Businesses that are Closed

If you operate a business that has closed or is required to by April 1, here are some safety tips to ensure your office, shop or restaurant remains secure:

• Keep the lights on


• Remove ALL cash and receipts


• Do not leave any valuables clearly visible or accessible


• All safes and tills should be emptied and moved off-site for safe storage


• Keep all cash drawers open to show that nothing is in the drawers


• All ATMs should be emptied and moved off-site for safe storage


• All alcohol products removed from bar and put in secured storage areas (no alcohol left visible from outside)


• Consider posting "NO CASH or Valuables on Premises" signage


• Deactivate all scheduled FOB door openings (ie. Cleaners, deliveries, etc)


• Disconnect all kitchen gas lines from their gas source


• Make regular site visits to monitor your shop/business and to manage inventory and storage conditions (consider scattering the times this is done to not establish a pattern)

Contacts:

• Emergency: 911


• Winnipeg Police Service Non Emergency: 204-986-6222


• Winnipeg Police Service Online reporting


• Downtown Winnipeg BIZ Community Homeless Assistance Team (CHAT): 204-806-5095


• Downtown Winnipeg BIZ Watch Ambassadors (including SafeWalk): 204-958-SAFE (7233)

The Downtown Winnipeg BIZ team remains available to help you through this pandemic. Please feel free to reach out anytime.

204-958-4640
info@downtownwinnipegbiz.com.

Thank you,

Kate Fenske, CEO
Downtown Winnipeg BIZ