WINNIPEG – Premier Brian Pallister and Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba’s chief public health officer, have announced the whole province will move to the red or critical level on the pandemic response system to stop the transmission of COVID-19. This begins on Thursday and will last for about a month.

The new restrictions include:

• Social contacts reduced to your household only. Social gatherings are not permitted.

• Travel to and from northern Manitoba is restricted and non-essential travel is discouraged.

• Retail businesses listed as critical services, such as grocery stores and pharmacies, can remain open at 25 per cent capacity.

• Retail businesses not on the list are able to provide e-service, curbside pickup or delivery services.

• All personal service businesses, including hair salons, barbers and sites offering manicures, pedicures and other esthetic services, must close.

• Gyms and fitness centres must close.

• Religious and cultural gatherings must close or be provided virtually only.

• Restaurants must close to the public and may be open for delivery, drive-thru or takeout only.

• All recreational activities, sports facilities, casinos, museums, galleries, libraries, movie theatres and concert halls must close.