Upcoming Manitoba business restrictions aimed to keep doors open

The president of Manitoba's Chamber of Commerce is speaking out against bullying and berating businesses because of health order disagreements.

Starting last week, all indoor public spaces require face masks. This weekend, many industries such as foodservice and gyms will require proof of full vaccination to access their services. Dr. Brent Roussin and President Chuck Davidson of the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce both agree that the updated orders will add a challenge to businesses, but for Davidson, that challenge is worth it.

"Too often I've heard from restaurants and other businesses that have been bullied and berated by people opposed to the restrictions," Davidson says. "These restrictions are made by the provincial government and public health officials, not by the server or host at your local restaurant." 

Areas in southern Manitoba are also struggling.

“We are hearing that with these mandates, it's putting our businesses in an extremely hard place where customers are wanting the business to make a political decision," Altona and District Chamber of Commerce President Jared Barnabe says.

Davidson is asking Manitobans "to do better" and be kind to businesses staff. The president says these restrictions will help businesses keep their doors open.

The foodservice industry is proving to be "an easy target" for people opposing health orders.

"It is not the servers, it is not the person that is working at the front desk. These are public health measures that are in place by the provincial government and public health," Davidson says. "Have patience, understand what they are going through, and of course be kind as always."

Davidson says while generally, they would prefer to have no restrictions, the current orders requiring proof of vaccination applies to the vast majority of Manitobans. He does not expect the vaccination requirements for many businesses to make a financial impact.

Roussin says enforcement at businesses will continue. He says ticketing businesses are not the first measure, instead offering advice and education to those who are not following the health orders.