Thread by @bkives

Premier Brian Pallister offers his condolences to the friends and family of the people who died of #COVID19.

Calls surge of cases in Winnipeg region "concerning" and says his govt is doing everything it can to mitigate it.

Premier once again says Manitobans are not following the fundamentals and says again that "we have lost our way."

Says Manitobans who do the right thing will turn the tide.

Premier now listing off what province has done.

Says addition of three large swabbing sites in Winnipeg has increased sampling capacity by 40 per cent.

Says Dakota sampling site now assists in evenings and says 10K appointments have been made at a variety of sites.

Premier touts plan to free up capacity in health-care system. Says this should give Manitobans confidence.

Premier says 99 per cent of Manitobans have behaved in a considerate manner.

But ... the number of young people infected keeps rising.

Says group gatherings are a danger.

"I'm going to ask Manitobans for some help right now."

Asks Manitobans to reduce personal contacts by 75 per cent.

Asks all Manitobans for "at least the month of November" to associate with fewer people.

Groups of larger than five are "totally unacceptable."

Says a Haloween party over the weekend advertising multiple DJs was totally unacceptable.

Concedes enforcement hasn't been enough.

Says last week, 3 tickets were handed out but that is not enough.

Promises more enforcement. Later this week, will reveal the means to step up enforcement and crack down on gatherings of more than five people.

Premier says MB is giving serious consideration to the idea of a curfew.

Would be a late-night curfew. That's when illegal gatherings are taking place.

Says he wants Manitobans to tell govt what they think of it.

Says feedback can be provided about proposed curfew at engagemb.ca

Premier reminds Manitobans to wash hands, wear masks, get flu shot, practice physical distancing and limit contacts.

Premier asked why contact tracing wasn't ramped up.

Concedes need was not met.

Says it's a fair question. We're reacting to the situation.

Premier asked what he would say to people province cheaped out on preparing earlier.

He says that's a false accusation.

Premier asked what MB could have done differently.

Says contact tracing and enforcement could have and should have been beefed up earlier.

Premier asked what he says to parents who send kids to school now that he's asked people to reduce contacts.

Says school transmission is low - and transmission is mostly happening at private gathering where alcohol and maybe drugs are involved.

Pallister : "I was in my 20s once. I understand."

Says he's been "stern dad" repeatedly but says people have to get hit in the pocketbook.

"It's something we haven't done as effectively as I'd like" and must happen.

Premier asked if businesses will get more help.

Continues to describe what MB has announced as "the most generous" package of supports in Canada.

Premier on proposed curfew: Says most are doing the right thing. Curfews are aimed at the minority, who offend.

Says they work elsewhere. First Nations are using it here, he notes.

Premier asked about prospective Parkview Place takeover:

Says he's not comfortable with the situation but is comfortable with actions the province is taking.

Says actions taken are starting to see positive results.

Premier again rejects idea Manitoba has not provided medical and public health system with sufficient funds to respond to the pandemic.

Premier asked why province is introducing a whole whack of bills, starting today - school changes, protest law - at a time when the pandemic's never been worse.

Pallister says his government can walk and chew gum at the same time.

Pallister asked why he expects people to take more enforcement seriously when there hasn't been enforcement in the past.

Says talking about enforcement is not the same as doing enforcement. Promises details within 48 hours.

Pallister asked about the prospect for a complete lockdown.

Says you don't beat COVID with nobody working. Says there's no science to suggest you beat COVID by shutting down the economy.

Pallister asks people outside of Winnipeg to reduce contacts as well.

Pallister asked about federal pandemic funding for schools that was supposed to flow through the province.

Says he'll have to see where it's going.

Says it was less than 3 per cent of what province is spending on education and says it was not Ottawa's intent to get credit.

Pallister asked about more proactive disclosure of data on the provincial COVID dashboard.

Says he's advocating for it. Wants more transparency.

Says he won't agree with everything team leaders do ... says he has to have health experts' backs.

Premier says he's speaking to Prime Minister later today.

Premier says he understands COVID fatigue.

The best way to eliminate it is to flatten the curve.

Says limiting contacts is the best thing we can do.

Premier asks Manitobans to wear a poppy in respect of veterans. Briefing ends.