Health minister warns of tougher restrictions soon if Manitoba cannot control COVID-19 case eruption

Audrey Gordon says shewon't hesitate to impose tougher pandemic restrictions on Manitobans, if the latest round of public health ordersdon't bring down thesoaringinfection rate.

The health minister is confident the new restrictions targeting religious gatherings and youth sportsannounced last Fridaywill be enough.

But if it isn't, Gordon will return before the cameras to announce stricter measures.

"I could be out next week making changes if we see the uptick [of COVID-19 cases] continue," she said in an interview Sunday onCBC's Rosemary Barton Live.

Despite Manitoba becoming thehot spot for COVID-19 infections in Canada, the province has so far steered clear ofimposing another near-lockdown, as it did in past pandemic waves.

WATCH | Gordon confident currentpandemic rules will deliver:

New COVID-19 restrictions in Manitoba as province hit with highest infection rate in the country

3 years ago

Duration 7:30

Manitoba Health Minister Audrey Gordon joins CBC chief political correspondent Rosemary Barton to talk about the province implementing stronger restrictions to stem rising COVID-19 cases.

On Friday, the province announcednew pandemic measures focused on youth sports,hospital capacity and some unvaccinated churchgoers.

It will requireyouth aged 12 to 17to either be vaccinated or tested regularly for COVID-19if they play indoor sports, beginning on Dec. 6.

COVID cases are rising the fastest in the under-20 crowd, provincial data confirms.

As well, a number of upcoming surgeries in Winnipeg will be cancelled to free up intensive care beds, while gathering rules will tightenfor religious events in southeastern Manitoba that do not checkvaccination status.

These measures are about as far as the province can go before it has to start restricting the activities of vaccinated people,Chief Provincial Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin said at a news conference on Friday.

But Gordon thinks it will slow the spread of COVID-19.

"I certainly do believe that they will," she said. "They are meant to lower the numbers of individuals that are congregating," which is "when wesee the transmission of COVID."

That's the reasoning torestrict attendance at places of worship in Southern Health, which is dealing with the highest infection rate and lowest vaccination uptake.

Pleased with churches going online, drive-in

Services in the region will be limited to 25 people, unless the venue can split peopleinto separate rooms in groups of 25 or less and those cohorts aren't allowed to mingle. Those venues will be limited to 25 per cent capacity.

Gordon said she's heartened to see some churches shifting to drive-in or online servicesin the wake of last Friday's announcement.

"They're already taking steps to address the concerns that we have with the numbers that are gathering indoors for long periods of time," she said.

One faith community in Winkler believes faith-based institutionshave beensingled out by the new measures.

"Itfeels kind of isolating at times to have religious gatheringsfocused on," Larry Reimer,pastorat Cornerstone Vineyard Church, said in an interview onCBC's Rosemary Barton Live.

WATCH | Pastor urges understanding, empathy in region with low vaccination rate:

New COVID-19 restrictions target religious services in Manitoba's southern health region

3 years ago

Duration 5:53

Larry Reimer, local pastor and a spiritual care co-ordinator at a hospital in Winkler, Man., joins CBC chief political correspondent Rosemary Barton. He says people in his community feel singled out by the province's new restrictions.

The capon gathering sizes"creates a lot of frustration for people, especially when one of the main things about being a part of a community,a faith community, isgathering."

Southern Manitoba municipalities that are situated close to Winnipeg, featuring a comparable vaccination rate, won't be affected by the new gathering limits.

Winkler does not receive an exemption, as their first dose vaccination rate is only 44.8 per cent, as of Friday.

As someone who is double vaccinated, some people in the community seek Reimer'sperspective on whether to roll up their sleeves. He doesn't try to shame anybody into getting inoculated.

"I tell my story, I share how I processed, how I navigated that journey and allowthe person to make the decision for themselves," Reimer said.

"I think those kinds of situations area lot more profitable. They actually have a better outcome thanwhen people are forced to do things," he said.

Reimer also serves as a chaplain at Boundary Trails Health Centre, the hospital outside Winkler, where he speaks with COVID-19 patientswho either chose to get vaccinated or did not.