More Enforcement Hired

Manitoba Post StaffNews

WINNIPEG – The province has hired a private security company to help enforce its COVID-19 public health orders.

G4S is providing 90 personnel to join join police and conservation officers in handing out tickets. Over 3,300 people across various agencies now have the power to fine people not following the rules.

Since coronavirus enforcement began back in April, 307 warnings and 200 tickets have been issued across Manitoba. Fines and enforcement efforts increased earlier this month. Some examples of tickets since then include:

• a $5,000 ticket to Bar Italia in Winnipeg for operating with seven patrons on the outdoor patio (of the seven, five were in possession of liquor);

• a $5,000 ticket to the Pembina Hotel for failure to ensure patrons vacate by 11 p.m.;

• a $5,000 ticket to Pony Corral Restaurant and Bar in Winnipeg for failure to ensure patrons vacate by 11 p.m. (patrons not seated, patrons dancing);

• a $5,000 ticket to Gymboree Play and Music in Winnipeg for failing to close;

• a $5,000 ticket to the Town Centre mall food court in Brandon for failure to take measures to ensure physical distancing between patrons;

• a $5,000 ticket to Goodlife Fitness in Brandon for failure to take measures to ensure physical distancing between patrons and because staff were not instructing clients to maintain two-metre distancing;

• a $5,000 ticket to McDonalds in Neepawa, for failure to take measures to ensure physical distancing between patrons (some patrons were observed less than two metres apart);

• a $5,000 ticket to the Gillam Motor Inn for not ensuring contact information was obtained from patrons dining or drinking in the premises;

• a $5,000 ticket to the Riverton Petro Canada for failing to remind individuals to wear masks; and

• a $5,000 ticket to the JT Diner in Blumenort for failing to remind individuals to wear masks.