The MHBA continues to carefully monitor the situation surrounding the spread of the coronavirus in Manitoba. The MHBA has and will continue to recommend to our members that they follow the advice of Health Canada and Manitoba Health’s public health officials.
Here is a further update on MHBA activities:
The MHBA continues to carefully monitor the situation surrounding the spread of the coronavirus in Manitoba. The MHBA has and will continue to recommend to our members that they follow the advice of Health Canada and Manitoba Health’s public health officials.
Here is a further update on MHBA activities:
MANITOBA RESTRICTS OPERATIONS OF NON-CRITICAL BUSINESSES IN NEW PUBLIC HEALTH ORDER
RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION BUSINESSES LISTED AS ESSENTIAL
Today, (March 30), the Province of Manitoba announced the closure of all non-critical businesses starting April 1, 2020 to help deal with the spread of COVID-19. The business closures are in effect from April 1 to April 14, 2020.
According to today’s public health order, residential construction businesses have been deemed critical and have been listed in the schedule of businesses exempt from the health order. This means residential construction businesses can continue operating with this health order in place. As per the Public Health Order, the following businesses are listed in the schedule:
Construction
- A business engaged in construction work or services in the industrial, commercial, institutional and residential sectors, including demolition services and expanding, renovating, converting or re-purposing existing spaces.
- A business engaged in construction work or services that are required to ensure safe and reliable operations of provincial and municipal infrastructure.
- A business engaged in construction work or services that supports environmental rehabilitation projects.
As well, it appears most MHBA associate members are also exempt and fall under categories that were included in the Health Order schedule. Those also include:
Retail and wholesale
- A business that provides, either by wholesale or by retail sale, food or household consumer goods necessary for the safety, sanitation or operation of residences and businesses. Such a business includes a grocery store, supermarket, convenience store, butcher shop, bakery, market, hardware store and any other similar wholesale or retail business.
- A business that provides personal protective equipment or protective clothing for use in the workplace.
To view the Province of Manitoba release, click HERE.
To view the Public Health Order and schedule of essential businesses, click HERE.
What if my business is not on the list?
Any business may continue to accept orders on the Internet, or over the phone for delivery or pickup, as long as the employees are not working at the place of business. Employees or others are allowed to come into the business to perform repairs, to provide security services or to take out items if the business is going to operate on a remote basis.
Where can I get more information?
The province has launched a website at http://engagemb.ca/covid19-csp to provide support to Manitoba businesses who have questions about the province’s recent emergency order to close non-critical businesses.
Further Manitoba Health Restrictions:
As authorized under The Public Health Act, the following measures will be in place, effective
12:01 a.m. on Monday, March 30. Public gatherings will be limited to no more than 10 people at any indoor or outdoor place or premises. This includes places of worship, gatherings and family events such as weddings and funerals. This does not apply to a facility where health care or social services are provided including child-care centres and homeless shelters. Retail businesses including grocery or food stores, shopping centres, pharmacies or gas stations must ensure separation of one to two metres between patrons assembling in the business. Public transportation facilities must also ensure that people assembling at the facility are reasonably able to maintain a separation of one to two metres.
Manitoba’s Chief Public Health Officer was clear during his announcement today that the 10 person limit does not apply to workplaces.
To read the full bulletin from the Province of Manitoba, please click HERE
To read the Backgrounder, please click HERE
MHBA COVID-19 Resources for Members:
As the Covid-19 event continues to unfold, the MHBA has set up a dedicated web page, https://www.homebuilders.mb.ca/mhba-covid-19-resource-page/, to ensure you have quick access to important information necessary to help you and your businesses navigate this tumultuous time.
This dedicated page includes links to the MHBA’s COVID-19 updates, plus a variety of health and business resources and will be updated as new information and resources are made available. We will still continue providing updates to you via email as new information becomes available to keep you as informed as possible.
CSAM has updated its resource page with additional information. You can visit the CSAM page at https://www.constructionsafety.ca/covid-19-and-manitobas-construction-industry/
Preventative Measures:
There are a number of preventative measures that the MHBA have recommended that all of our members implement, whether in your offices, showrooms, worksites or show homes.
We are recommending that you implement the following best practices:
- -Post signage at your door asking those who have recently travelled internationally or those who have flu-like symptoms to reconsider entering into your show home/room;
- -Limit the number of groups/people entering your show home/room;
- -Limit the number of trades working at one time on your worksites;
- -Practice social distancing measures in your workplaces and worksites;
- -Enable those staff who can work from home to do so;
- -Keep hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes stocked and available if possible;
- -Disinfect frequently used surfaces (Door knobs, countertops, handrails, etc.) on a regular basis;
- -Avoid greetings that involve touching, including shaking hands;
- -Wash your hands properly and frequently; and
- -Provide disposable towels/napkins should people wash their hands in your show home/workplace. Please do not use reusable (regular) towels in your bathrooms.
Please share this update with your staff and discuss these important measures and the available options regarding show home hours with your staff.