Manitobans can now eat at restaurants with others, as long as it’s outdoors

WINNIPEG – Manitobans will soon be allowed to gather with friends on restaurant and pub patios under loosened COVID-19 rules.

Starting Saturday, the government will allow up to six people from different households dine together at a restaurant or pub, as long they sit on an outdoor patio.

Indoor restaurant dining will continue to be limited to members of the same household.

The province’s chief public health officer, Dr. Brent Roussin, says the rule change is in line with the recent move to expand public outdoor gatherings to a maximum of 10 people.

The province is also going to allow household members who sit together in religious services to remove their masks, as long as they are distanced from others and are not singing.

Health officials are reporting one additional death and 104 new cases.

However, six cases from unspecified dates have been removed due to data correction, for a net increase of 98.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 12, 2021