COVID-19

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What to do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19

  • First and foremost, get vaccinated, as it is the most effective way to protect yourself and others. Vaccination information and clinic locations can be found on the Province of Manitoba's COVID-19 Vaccine page. 
  • Secondly, get a booster shot. More info on booster dose eligibility here.
  • Practice good hand hygiene, which includes regular hand-washing with soap and warm water for at least 15 seconds or using an an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if your hands are not visibly dirty.  It is especially important to clean your hands after coughing or sneezing, before preparing food, before eating, after using the washroom, and when hands are visibly dirty.
  • Wear a non-medical mask, whether reusable or medical, that properly covers your nose, mouth, and chin. Wearing a non-medical mask in indoor public places within Manitoba is optional as of March 15, 2022, but it is recommended for crowded areas and for those at increased risk.
  • Practice physical distancing and stay two metres/six feet apart from others when possible.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve when you cough or sneeze. Throw used tissues in the garbage immediately and wash your hands or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid crowded places and large indoor gatherings.
  • For more information, see the Province of Manitoba's list of strategies to reduce and prevent the spread.

Physical distancing and spread-stopping strategies 

The virus that causes COVID-19 spreads mainly when an infected person is in close contact with another person. Small droplets and aerosols containing the virus can spread from an infected person's nose and mouth as they breathe, cough, sneeze, sing, or speak. Other people are infected if the virus gets into their mouth, nose or eyes. It is also possible, but not as likely, to contract COVID-19 by  touching a hard surface or object, such as a countertop, that has the virus on it and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes. However, this is not the main source of transmission.

To help slow the spread of COVID-19, Manitobans are advised to:

  • Practice physical distancing with those not in your own household by not being in close contact with others for more than 10 minutes and staying more than two metres/six feet apart from others while in public
  • Stay home if you have COVID-19 symptoms  — even if mild — or if anyone in your household has symptoms or is awaiting test results
  • Wear a mask in situations when physical distancing is not possible 
  • Avoid greetings that involve touching such as handshakes or hugs
  • Disinfect high-touch surfaces frequently
  • Follow public health advice related to self-isolation if you have travelled or have been exposed to someone ill with the virus

Advice for Travellers 

If you travel outside of Manitoba or outside of Canada, you must follow any Province's travel and self-isolation requirements and ant Government of Canada self-isolation requirements that may be in effect upon returning.  

COVID-19 symptoms and when to get tested 

Symptoms can range from mild to severe, and include fever and/or chills, cough, sore throat/hoarse voice, shortness of breath/breathing difficulties, loss of taste or smell, vomiting or diarrhea for more than 24 hours, poor feeding (if an Infant), runny nose, muscle aches, fatigue, conjunctivitis (pink eye), headache, skin rash of unknown cause, nausea, or loss of appetite.

See here for testing information.

For more information regarding symptoms and when you should get tested please see: https://manitoba.ca/covid19/fundamentals/symptoms.html

Health links-Info Santé provided an online self-assessment tool on their website to help Manitobans determine if they should contact Health-Links-Info Santé or seek other medical advice.

Resources and Links

See the pages below for more information and printable resources.

Contacts and More Information 

It is very important to receive information from official sources as it will help stop the spread of misinformation. For accurate and up-to-date information please contact the following: