Mostly masked: Requirements lift in Manitoba but many leave face coverings on

In some places, anewly mask-optional Manitoba on Saturday didn't look muchdifferentfrom a day earlier, when wearing masks in indoor publicsettings was the law.

Roger Miller figured he'd have some companygoing without the face coveringwhenhe went for hisgroceryrun Saturday morning, the first day of the province's new regulations.

"It's wonderful going in, but I noticed that I may have made a mistake because I was the only person in there without a mask. It felt really weird it felt like I was not part of the norm," he said after getting groceries at the Save-On-Foods International at the Northgate Shopping Centre.

"Ifigured everyone would be jumping at the opportunity, you know, after a year and a half of being stuck inside and with a mask on."

Though he found he was on his own, shopping without a mask seemedlike a return to normal for Miller.

"Itfelt wonderful to walk through this door without having to worry about anything whatsoever,"he said.

WATCH | Eased restrictions marked by celebration, uncertainty:

Winnipeggers face a new reality without mask requirements

3 years ago

Duration 2:33

Masks are no longer required in most places in Manitoba. While some Manitobans took the opportunity to head out without the coverings, many others were still sporting theirs in Winnipeg on Saturday.

The move to make mask use a strong recommendation, rather than a requirement, has beenthe most controversial shiftin Manitoba's newly loosened public health restrictions, which were announced Tuesday and took effectSaturday at 12:01 a.m.

The province is also ending capacity limits for most businesses, and doing away with any constraints onindoor and outdoor gatherings at private residences.

Those newly relaxedrestrictions brought peopletogether again.

The Manitoba Korean 55 Centre usually holds a picnic in Winnipeg every year, but the pandemic scrapped last year's event. President Young Baewas more than happy to celebrate the easing of restrictions, and celebrate the members who have come through the pandemic to this point.

They planned a feast with a pig roast, along withline dancing for entertainment.

"We try to celebrate ourselves that we are stillhealthy and maintaining our good life in Manitoba. That's why we have decided to have a good picnic today," Bae said.

The decision to lift the mask mandate hasbeen widely denounced in some circles, including from public health experts, asa fourth wave of the pandemic driven by the more contagious delta coronavirus variantappears on the horizon.

Those concerns have many businesses andcustomerschoosingto go above and beyond the public health orders.

At least 120 businessesare listedon a crowdsourced online listingof businesses that still requiremasks.

'Better to prevent than cure'

Even in the businesses withouta mask mandate, the vast majority of customers still seemed to be opting to wear one.

During a visit toa Dollaramain Garden City,a Co-op grocery store andMcNally Robinson Booksellersin Grant Park, CBC News did not see any shoppers without masks.

"I'm still impressed with people wearing a mask because they still believe that wearing a mask is to protect yourself and protect others," Melchie Sumbilla saidafter her grocery store visit.

She's fully vaccinated, but knows first-hand the impacts of COVID-19, sinceshe was infected in May. Shestill feels the side-effects to this day.

Ben Pablico finds using his mask is a proactive measure.

"I say it's better to prevent than cure later," he said.

"Why can't we do it a littlelonger?

"Besides, wehave lots of spares, so why not?" he quipped."What are you going to do with this one?"

Deborah McPhail, who wore her face mask at Grant Park Shopping Centre, wasn't surprised to be among the majority.

"I'm more surprised, actually, that there are people without their masks just because I'm so used to not seeing faces."

Jay Hall was maskless as he waited his turn for the barber's chair in the mall, but it doesn't mean he's against masks. He said he's double-vaccinated and safely distanced from others.

"If I'm around somebody who's vulnerable or somebody asked me to put on a mask, it's right here ready to go," he said, pulling the mask fromhis pocket. He wore it at the Blue Bombers game last Thursdaywhen walking throughthe packed crowds in the concourse.

But Hall acknowledged his stance may make other people uncomfortable.

"I mean, some people have definitely given me a side look, but that's to be expected. This is new for all of us again, right?We're learning how to live without the precautions again."

'It's a bit surreal'

In Ste. Anne, southeast of Winnipeg, one person responded to the new rules by tossing his mask in the garbage, after a reporter told him his mask wasn't legallyrequired anymore.

"I never thought it was a good idea anyway" to wear a mask, Keith Dutiaumesaid.

A new cannabis shop in the community is leaving it up to itscustomers to assess their comfort level with masks.

"We've been doing it for so long that it's kind of I don't know, it's a bit surreal that it's all of a sudden over," saidSean Stewart, owner ofAAAAA Supercraft.

"Itis a bit strange getting back to that type of a life of, 'Wow, I could see your face. I can see what you're saying with your mouth.'"