WINNIPEG – Premier Brian Pallister has announced $5 million for restaurants forced to close their dining rooms under COVID-19 restrictions.

The money will reimburse dine-in eateries for the new cost of delivering their food to customers.

Pallister says he may have more help for restaurants but he’s waiting to see what Ottawa comes up with.

The Dine-In Restaurant Relief Program will be administered by the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce. The Manitoba Restaurant and Foodservices Association says the money is good news for its members but it’s also happy about business experts being in charge of dolling out the cash.

It’s hoped the application process can be online by next week.