Dear Downtown Winnipeg BIZ Member,

Last week, we shared news about a Downtown Recovery Strategy to support economic and social recovery post-pandemic. As the work comes together on this plan, I am inspired by so many individuals and organizations who have reached out and offered their support to help. As we grab the month of March by the horns (wait a lion doesn’t have horns… by the mane?) I have a renewed sense of hope for our downtown. You can feel it watching the new art projections outside the WAG as we prepare for the grand opening of Qaumajuq. And I felt it last week when I ordered dinner at Capital Grill & Bar on Broadway and dined safely inside while watching the Jets game.

We know this latest round of public health orders still presents challenges for businesses. We’re focused on the steps toward recovery and on continuing to encourage Winnipeggers to safely shop, dine, visit and enjoy the great things downtown has to offer.

Province announces new public health orders effective March 5

The Manitoba Government says they are continuing cautious re-opening plans based on public feedback.

Public health order changes are effective Friday, March 5 at 12:01 a.m. and will expire on March 25. They include the following:

Retail & restaurants

• Enable any type of business to be able to operate with the exception of indoor theatres, indoor concert halls, casinos and bingo halls.
• Retail stores, malls and personal services can have increased capacity limits of up to 50 per cent or 250 people, whichever is lower.
• Restaurants and licensed premises can have increased capacity limits of up to 50 per cent, with the requirement for tables to sit with only household members.
• Businesses other than casinos can resume operating video lottery terminals, with physical distancing measures and barriers in place.

Recreation & fitness

• Indoor recreation and sporting facilities such as gyms, fitness centres and studios can open at 25 per cent total capacity. The requirement that only one-on-one instruction is allowed has been removed.
• Gyms, fitness centre and pool users must continue to wear a mask while working out and in all other areas of the facility, with the exception of while in a swimming pool.
• Indoor recreational facilities such as arcades and children’s facilities to open at 25 per cent capacity.

Note that all other public health measures (for example, physical distancing, mask-wearing, and sanitization) are still in place.

For a detailed list of all changes, read the updated public health orders (PDF).

Manitoba Bridge Grant update

The Province announced a third Manitoba Bridge Grant can be expected as early as March 5 and has extended the deadline for new applicants to March 31.

If you have already received funds from the Manitoba Bridge Grant, no further action is required – the deposit will be automatic.

For more information, visit the Manitoba Bridge Grant information page.

As always, please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions:
204-958-4640
info@downtownwinnipegbiz.com

Thank you,

Kate Fenske, CEO
Downtown Winnipeg BIZ