Manitoba establishing checkpoints at provincial borders to warn travellers about COVID-19 risks

The Manitoba government says it has noplans to close interprovincialborders to stopthe coronavirus, but they're deploying staff anyway to speak with every person who enters the province at five highway crossings.

On Friday, the province announced it is establishing checkpoints at the five busiest crossingsand providing signageat airports,to inform travellers ofthe risk ofCOVID-19.

The checkpoints four entering from Saskatchewan and one from Ontarioare operationalas ofFriday afternoon,Infrastructure Minister Ron Schulersaid.

"If you're on two wheels or18 you're going to get one of these" information pamphlets, hesaid.

"Even four-legged, youcome through on a horse, we're going to hand you one of these and talk to you."

The campaign will include signage at the Winnipeg and Brandon airports, as well as checkpoints at the following locations:

• Ontario border:
  • Trans-Canada Highway east (West Hawk Lake/Falcon Lake).
• Saskatchewan border:
  • Trans-Canada Highway west (west of Kirkella/Elkhorn/Virden).
  • Highway 16 (west of Russell).
  • Highway 5W (west of Roblin).
  • Highway 2 (west of Sinclair/Reston/Souris).

Schuler explained the checkpoints will alert travellers to the need to self-isolateand other pressing health information concerning the coronavirus.

He said drivers should only expect a short delay.

"What we're doingis we're handing individuals a sheet of paper and telling them that they must comply with it," he said. "We're not anticipating a debating club."

Airport staff in Winnipeg and Brandon will be alerting travellers arriving from their domestic travels of the same information, Schuler said. Officials with the Canada Border Services Agency are already supposed to discuss precautions with international arrivals.

No travellers will be denied entry into Manitoba, andthe province has no intention at this point of closing its borders,or checking temperatures or doing other tests on travellers at provincial border crossings, Schuler said.

The province feels there is currently noneed to close the borders, he said.

"We believe that if Manitobans continue to comply likethey are thatthis is the best way to go about it. This gets the information out," Schulersaid."We are finding that there is amazing uptake on the request."

No checkstop planned: Schuler

In a discussion explaining Manitoba's approach, Schulersaid he told a Saskatchewan minister that Manitoba was planning a checkpoint, not a checkstop.

At each of the five border crossings, three government staffare on site. Schuler said they will not log the personal information of any arriving traveller.

He added every driver entering Manitoba will be approached,no matter how frequently they cross the border.

Drivers leaving Manitoba may expect minor delays to ensure the safety of people at thecheckstop, Schuler said. The province has enlisted 60-80 staff in theinfrastructure and sustainable development departments to work there.

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