Manitobans are being asked for their feedback on how to safely reopen our province.

The current public health order will end on January 22nd. Today, Premier Brian Pallister invited Manitobans to take part in a survey.

"The current public health orders, which have been in place for over two months, were put in place to halt the spread of this deadly virus and save lives," says Pallister. "These orders are working, thanks to the willingness of Manitobans to follow them."

Pallister says at the advice of Chief Provincial Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin and health care leaders, the province is now in a position to consider reducing some restrictions and safely restoring services and activities that so many Manitobans have sacrificed throughout this pandemic in order to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their community.

The province has launched a survey on EngageMB.ca and invites Manitobans to share feedback on their priorities for potential easing of the current COVID-19 restrictions. The survey asks questions about people's perspectives on the risk of the virus, COVID-19 vaccines and their comfort levels with different activities.

The survey also asks about priorities to safely restore services, including possible changes to gradually expand or re-open:

retail shopping,
barbershops and salons,
gyms and fitness centres,
non-regulated health professions,
restaurants,
faith-based and ceremonial gatherings,
organized recreation and sport, and
possible increases to indoor, outdoor and household gathering sizes.
For more details on each option and to provide your feedback, visit EngageMB.ca/restartmb-pandemic-response-system.

"While our test positivity rates, case numbers and hospitalizations are starting to come down and Manitobans are starting to get vaccinated, it is crucial that Manitobans continue to follow the fundamentals so we do not lose sight of the gains we have made these past few months," says Dr. Roussin. "While we consider ways to carefully re-open Manitoba, we must always consider the needs of our health care system and limit the activities which we know cause the greatest risk."

Dr. Roussin says according to their estimations, Level Red restrictions in Manitoba saved approximately 1,700 lives between November 12th and January 3rd. He notes Manitobans can expect the province will be very cautious with its reopening approach.

Meanwhile, Pallister says according to Statistics Canada, Manitoba is the only province outside of Atlantic Canada that has bent down the COVID-19 curve.