Dear Downtown Winnipeg BIZ Member,

When I look at all of the graphs, charts and stats out there it looks like Manitobans have been doing excellent work to flatten the curve. As a downtown business, you have played an important role in keeping Manitobans safe and I want to thank you for doing your part. We know it has been challenging on so many levels but together, we kept public health priority #1. Now we must continue supporting one another as Downtown Winnipeg reopens for business, in the safest way possible. I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t want everyone’s hard work and sacrifices going to waste!

Today the Province announced its draft plan for phase two and wants to hear YOUR FEEDBACK. Details are still coming but our understanding is that restrictions will not be eased before June 1. That is the earliest we would move into phase two. Below are the details of the draft plan and Manitobans can provide their feedback by visiting engagemb.ca/.

If you would prefer, you can also share your thoughts with us directly. I’ll collect and pass along all feedback received from downtown businesses to the Premier’s office and relevant departments. You can email us any time at info@downtownwinnipegbiz.com or call 204-958-4640 Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Province seeking feedback on phase two draft plan

The Province of Manitoba has provided the draft plan for phase two of the provincial reopen (PDF). New measures include options for restaurants, bars, lounges, breweries, gyms, pools, and personal services businesses to re-open at limited capacity.

There is no official start date for phase two, but June 1 is the earliest the measures would go into effect. Manitobans are encouraged to provide their feedback on the draft plan.

The draft plan for phase two includes:

• Outdoor drive-in events
• Swimming pools, spas, fitness clubs, gyms and training facilities
• Personal services businesses (manicurists/pedicurists, tattoo parlours, estheticians, cosmetologists, electrologists and tanning parlours)
• Restaurants
• Bars and beverage rooms (indoor capacity)
• Film production
• Community/service centres
• Outdoor recreation facilities and golf courses
• Team sports
• Day camps
• Schools
• Child care services

Swimming pools, spas, fitness clubs, gyms and training facilities

Sites may reopen with capacity limitations and ensuring that the public can reasonably maintain a separation of at least two meters from others, except for brief exchanges. These organizations are required to limit occupancy to 50 per cent of normal business levels or one person per 10 square metres, whichever is lower.
View all of the guidelines for swimming pools, spas, fitness clubs, gyms and training facilities (PDF).

Personal services businesses

Occupancy limits of 50 per cent of normal business levels or one person per 10 square metres will be in place.
View all of the guidelines for personal services businesses (PDF).

Restaurants

Indoor seating, plus patio will be allowed with occupancy limits of 50 per cent of normal business levels, as long as tables and seating are arranged so that there is at least a two-metre separation between persons sitting at different tables.
View all of the guidelines for restaurants (PDF).

Bars and beverage rooms

Bars, beverage rooms, micro-brewers and similar businesses that serve food and drinks may operate patio service and indoor spaces at 50 per cent capacity, as long as tables and seating are arranged so that there is at least a two-metre separation between persons sitting at different tables. Dance floors and other common activity areas, such as pool tables, dartboards and video lottery terminals are to remain closed.
View all of the guidelines for bars and beverage rooms (PDF).

Public gatherings allowed to increase in size beginning Friday

Effective May 22, public gatherings of 25 people are allowed indoors and 50 people outdoors, where members of the public are reasonably able to maintain a separation of at least two metres from others, except for brief exchanges. This change applies to social gatherings, worship, weddings and funerals.

Applications for Canadian Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance program open May 26

The CECRA program offers rent relief for small business tenants experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19. Property owners can apply for this program that provides a 50% government / 25% landlord / 25% tenant split of rent obligations for the April-June period. Property owners must offer a minimum of a 75% rent reduction for those months.
More information on this program is available online.

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.
Two Downtown Winnipeg BIZ members have hand sanitizer for sale:

• Lake of the Woods Brewing Company – contact Ron: 431-373-0799 or ron@lowbrewco.com
• The Hartmont Candle Company – contact Lana: 204-885-7595 or lana@hartmont.com

Tourism Winnipeg offers opportunity to promote your business

This summer, Tourism Winnipeg is creating a new comprehensive marketing campaign showcasing how Manitobans – and travelers coming from rural areas – can Save their Summer at the city’s hotels, attractions, virtual events, nature trails, and more. Help them help you by tagging @TourismWPG on your social media posts, or by reaching out via email to info@tourismwinnipeg.com so they can help promote your latest openings, offerings and upcoming events.

For virtual events, you can now add your own events manually to the Tourism Winnipeg Events website here, so please double check that they have your events featured, while you can join the Winnipeg Tourism Industry Group to keep updated on best practices while we all work through COVID-19 recovery. And be sure to subscribe to Tourism Winnipeg’s daily media hits that feature pertinent economic development and tourism stories.
You can also leverage the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ social media accounts and website to share operating information with the public. Please contact us at info@downtownwinnipegbiz.com or 204-958-4640 to share your open hours, curbside pick-up procedures or any other information you’d like us to add to downtownwinnipegbiz.com.

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