WINNIPEG - Officials with Doctors Manitoba say they’d like to see many of the restrictions that came with Manitoba’s public health orders reinstated if the province sees any increase in COVID-19 case numbers.
The labour union and advocacy group says its members are worried that the provincial government eased its rules too soon, causing an increased risk of a fourth wave looming over the healthcare system. The organization says 79% of the 410 physicians surveyed last week are concerned that too many pandemic restrictions are being loosened too quickly.
The organization is making a number of recommendations for the province to avoid a return to a Red Zone pandemic situation.
- Businesses that keep requiring masks, and keep taking other pandemic precautions should be praised, not criticized.
- Everyone should keep wearing masks in public indoor settings, especially if that location allows entry to non-vaccinated people.
- The use of immunization cards should be expanded to give people who are fully vaccinated more opportunities to gather.
- As soon as there are signs a fourth wave is approaching, mask mandates and other restrictions should be reintroduced immediately.
Doctors Manitoba Communications Director and strategist Keir Johnson says they’re concerned about the more contagious Delta variant of COVID-19 causing serious illness. “Please be cautious,” Johnson warns. “Wear a mask in public indoor spaces, stay home if you are sick, wash your hands, and get vaccinated.”
Doctors Manitoba, representing more than 3,000 physicians in the province, is led by CEO Theresa Oswald; President Dr. Cory Baillie; General Council, and former Attorney General for Greg Selinger, Andrew Swan; and Johnson, who previously worked for Oswald when she was health minister.
Those who haven’t received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine can find their nearest immunization site using the province’s COVID-19 Vaccine Shot Finder.
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