WINNIPEG – Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin says people celebrating Valentine’s Day on Sunday, like many other holidays over the past eleven months, may need to find new ways to express their love. Dr. Roussin says, considering the COVID-19 pandemic, people shouldn’t make big plans to mingle with other households. He says, while he realizes it may be difficult, there are ways to enjoy the holiday while staying safe.

Manitoba has announced adjustments to its public health orders that will allow places like restaurants to reopen at 25 per cent their building capacity on Friday, but only people from the same household can sit together. Under current rules, two designated people may visit a household indoors, and a maximum of five people, in addition to the household members, may gather outdoors.

Dr. Roussin says the changes are meant to minimize contacts and COVID-19 transmission during the cautionary reopening, and help avoid the spike the province saw in November. He says the different adjustments to numbers and what is allowed to be open is largely based on data that shows COVID-19 is largely spread during prolonged indoor contact, and notes greeting cards have been found to be low risk.

Meanwhile, florists are recommending those who want to exchange flowers to get them early. Experts are forecasting supply issues may be encountered as an unexpected result of the pandemic, with some of the more popular flowers more likely to see shortages.