Visiting patients in hospitals will be getting a little easier in Manitoba.

The province announced eased restrictions today, allowing patients to receive outdoor visits from their loved ones while still maintaining measures to prevent the potential spread of COVID-19.

"We recognize that solitude and separation can have a significant and negative impact on a patient’s health and well-being. Our goal is to find a balance for the longer-term; a balance that will enable visits with loved ones to occur, with all necessary precautions in place," Health Minister and Morden-Winkler MLA Cameron Friesen says.

He notes the likelihood of COVID-19 being a part of the ‘new normal’ for a longer duration requires finding a longer-term balance between preventative measures and the many benefits of in-person interaction between patients and their loved ones.