Manitoba is making a fourth round of bridge grant payments to businesses affected by the pandemic. Up to $5K per business. #COVID19
The province says this amounts to $75M and says $286M has spent so far on bridge grants.
The province also providing $2,000 more as a top-up for restaurants "to help cover the costs of food waste, employee wages, maintenance or insurance," it says in a statement.
About 1,800 restaurants could see this funding, estimated at $3.6M.
About 1,800 restaurants could see this funding, estimated at $3.6M.
The province is also adding $2M to a program aimed at helping restaurants convert to delivery service.
The $5K payments will arrive this week, Premier Brian Pallister.
He says - as he usually does - this won't cover all losses due to the pandemic.
He says - as he usually does - this won't cover all losses due to the pandemic.
The premier says the restrictions announced Friday were done out of urgency without much notice. He says he acknowledges a lot of businesses, particularly restaurants, could not adjust.
Hence the additional $2K per restaurant.
Hence the additional $2K per restaurant.
The premier says the next few weeks will be difficult.
Urges Manitobans to get vaccinated. Reminds that the best vaccine is the first vaccine available.
Urges Manitobans to get vaccinated. Reminds that the best vaccine is the first vaccine available.
Premier asked why he didn't join Dr. Roussin at 6 p.m. Friday to announce the new restrictions.
He says it was most important to get those restrictions out there.
He says it was most important to get those restrictions out there.
The premier says public health releases modelling on a regular basis.
[MB has never released modelling in advance.]
[MB has never released modelling in advance.]
Pallister asked about notice of school closures. Says three days of prep "is not bad" for teachers.
Pallister now addressing Q again on why MB didn't shut down earlier.
Says has MB tried to lock down earlier, public may not have bought in when restrictions are low.
Says has MB tried to lock down earlier, public may not have bought in when restrictions are low.
[This discussion is based on the notion that asharp lockdown earlier, followed by gradual reduction in restrictions, is more effective at reducing total duration of restrictions than raising restrictions incrementally at the start.]
Pallister asked if he would commit to a sharp lockdown sooner if there is a fourth wave.
Doesn't discount idea entirely.
Doesn't discount idea entirely.
Pallister also asked what supports will be extended to workers who can not work this week because their kids are home from school.
He says no province to his knowledge is doing this.
[Nova Scotia may have come closest.]
He says no province to his knowledge is doing this.
[Nova Scotia may have come closest.]
Premier asked if he regrets not locking down three weeks ago.
He says he rejects idea a lockdown is the best way to prevent a lockdown.
He says he rejects idea a lockdown is the best way to prevent a lockdown.
Pallister asked if parents [in Winnipeg and Brandon] can expect the remainder of the school to be remote only when the current public health order expires at the end of the month.
He says it's possible classes will return in June.
He says it's possible classes will return in June.
Pallister asked about childcare help again.
He says spaces remain.
He says spaces remain.
Pallister says MB is looking at a reopening roadmap, some time in the coming weeks, similar to what Sask proposed.
Says it's crucial now for everyone to get vaccinated.
Says it's crucial now for everyone to get vaccinated.
That's it for this morning. If you were not listening/watching live, I should note the premier tried to answer a question posed Friday, without prompting.
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