Thread by @bkives

The Premier is speaking.

Offers condolences to families impacted by #COVID19 and the situation at Maples PCH care home in particular.

He calls that situation "unacceptable."

"Parts of it are unacceptable," to be precise.

Pallister says he's announcing new restrictions and new economic supports.

Hands over to Dr. Roussin.

"We are truly at a crossroads in our fight against the pandemic."

Says measures in recent weeks have not been enough.

Says case and hospitalization numbers are climbing despite restrictions. Says further action is required.

All of Manitoba is going red.

"Short, sharp set of restrictions."

Starting Thursday:

No social gatherings.
Contact restricted to people in your household.

Only essential travel to the north.

Essential retail reduced to 25 per cent capacity

Rec activities, gyms, churches, casinos, galleries, concert halls, salons -- all close.

Schools remain open.

Roussin: Keeping schools and childcare centres open is important for children.

Says not much spread is in schools.

Roussin: Restrictions are here to reduce close contacts.

The virus spreads through contacts.

Roussin repeats:

Contact with household members only.

Keep a list of other essential contacts.

Keep it with you.

Roussin: We've been planning for months for this eventuality.

Fines for breaching or failing to comply with these orders remain $1,296 for individuals and $5,000 for corporations.

Roussin offers this advice:

• Reduce the number of shoppers from your household to the lowest possible number. Send only one person to shop.
• Work from home if possible.
• Reduce travel unless absolutely essential.
• Remember all contacts.

Roussin: This sacrifice will save lives and allow the health care system to function.

Premier speaking again. Says he recognizes sacrifices.

Premier to small business owners: You are the backbone of our economy.

Premier calls this lockdown "a circuit breaker," as Roussin did Monday.

Full list of restrictions:

• Social contacts reduced to household only. Social gatherings are not permitted.
• Travel to and from northern Manitoba is restricted and non-essential travel is discouraged.

• All personal service businesses, including hair salons, barbers and sites offering manicures, pedicures and other esthetic services, must close.
• Gyms and fitness centres must close.
• Religious and cultural gatherings must close or be provided virtually only.

• Restaurants must close to the public and may be open for delivery, drive-thru or takeout only.
• All recreational activities, sports facilities, casinos, museums, galleries, libraries, movie theatres and concert halls must close.

Pallister is offering new help:

A new bridge-financing grant can provide $5K to businesses who apply before Christmas and an additional $5K in the new year.

Pallister also announces the $6K offered through the Manitoba Gap Protection Program is no longer a loan.

It's a grant.

You don't have to pay it back.

Pallister also says wage subsidies will be advanced without businesses having to demonstrate they need more $.

"The province will now begin providing immediate, early cash advances to employers that applied for the Back to Work in Manitoba program for $1,500 per worker hired."

Pallister says this will amount to $15 million.

Finally, the premier says he will set aside $50M for businesses to come out of #COVID19 next year.

And just so no one is confused: Zero gathering means zero *social gathering.*

You can go to work. You can shop.

You may not associate with anyone outside of work.

Pallister: Vaccines will take months and months. Don't let your guard down.

Roussin: Measures will be in place 4 weeks, to start.

Therapeutic businesses that self-regulate can continue to operate.

Childcare and family members can still operate, as well.

Social visits only are forbidden.

Premier asked if he still has confidence in Revera to care for PCH residents.

He says misleading information from Revera causes him to lose confidence.

Roussin says Manitoba has lost track of COVID transmission chain and can not target the spread with specific measures.

That's why we're having a lockdown now.

[We're using the sledgehammer now, not the scalpel.]

Roussin asked why go province-wide with the lockdown.

He says the test-positivity rate has been climbing province-wide and contacts keep increasing province wide.

Pallister asked whether people should ask neighbours to stop violating public health orders or just call the snitch line.

Pallister says more enforcement measures are coming.

Pallister promises more tickets to people who break the rules, particularly by having social gatherings.

Says not everyone who spreads has done so knowingly.

Pallister asked what the downside would be to calling in military to work at care homes.

He says it would diminish faith in Manitobans' ability to combat the virus.

Pallister says MB "success early on didn't condition us" to second-wave realities.

Insists health leaders were working on plans all along.

Roussin asked why school administrators are working on contact tracing with public health nurses.

Says that's logical, as schools know best what's happening within schools.

Repeats again that transmission within schools has been minimal.

That's it until 12:30 p.m.