New public health orders are now in effect in Manitoba, and many places will no longer require vaccine cards to enter.

As of Tuesday morning, Manitoba no longer requires proof of vaccination in public places. The province has also removed proof of vaccination requirements for designated public sector employees, including education, childcare and healthcare workers.

The new public health order also lists no capacity limits. This is a change from the current order which has capacity limits on indoor gatherings in public spaces, weddings and funerals, indoor religious services and Indigenous cultural events.

Some private businesses may elect to still require proof of vaccination to enter, however. That includes many venues and concerts, such as Canada Life Centre for Jets and Moose games and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.

The only measure now listed within the new public health order is the mask use requirement in indoor public places. This requirement does not apply to:

  • a child who is under five years of age
  • a person with a medical condition that is unrelated to COVID-19, including breathing or cognitive difficulties or a disability, that prevents them from safely wearing a mask
  • a person who is unable to put on or remove a mask without the assistance of another person
  • a person who is swimming or engaged in other athletic activities, including referees and other game officials
  • a musician or other performer at licensed premises or at a performing arts venue or an announcer or broadcaster at a sporting event
  • a person who needs to temporarily remove their mask while in the indoor public place for the purpose of receiving a service that requires the removal of their mask, consuming food or drink, an
  • emergency or medical purpose or establishing their identity.

This order also does not apply to a public or independent school or a child care centre or a child care home.

This order will be in effect until March 15 at 12:01 am. Mask use has been required for indoor public spaces since August 28, 2021, after a brief reprieve in the summer. Vaccine passports were first required on September 3, 2021. 

Meanwhile, there are still two other public health orders in effect in Manitoba. These have to do with self-isolation and contact tracing as well as travel to northern and remote communities.