The Steinbach Pistons are welcoming new public health orders which take effect today in our province. Thanks to the loosening of some restrictions, the Pistons will now be allowed to host up to 737 people inside the building.

"It's really great news," says Jamie Roy, Director of Sales and Marketing for the Manitoba Junior Hockey League franchise.

He notes in January they were forced to split their season ticket holders into two groups, alternating which group could attend each game. The new orders will allow them to welcome back all season ticket holders for every game.

"We're just really grateful to not have to turn people away," adds Roy. "It's nice to be the bearer of good news to our season ticket holders for a change."

Roy says if 737 fans are allowed per game, that is not much less than what their average attendance was pre-pandemic. He notes prior to the start of COVID-19 they were seeing crowds of about 800 to 900 people.

Meanwhile, the new public health orders impact much more than just hockey clubs in Manitoba. The following changes came into effect first thing Tuesday morning (the "Old order" refers to orders that ended February 7th, while the "Current order" refers to changes that took effect on February 8th. For the categories not listed, the public health orders did not change. Click here to view the entire list):

Indoor gatherings on private property

Old order
Private indoor gatherings are limited to 10 additional people plus the household if all are fully vaccinated (youth under the age of 12 are exempt). Private indoor gatherings are limited to five additional people plus the household if any of the individuals are eligible but unvaccinated (youth under the age of 12 are exempt).

Current order
Private indoor gatherings are limited to 25 additional people plus the household if all are fully vaccinated (youth under the age of 12 are exempt). Private indoor gatherings are limited to 10 additional people plus the household if any of the individuals are eligible but unvaccinated (youth under the age of 12 are exempt).

 

Outdoor gatherings on private property

Old order
Outdoor gatherings at a private residence are limited to 20 additional people plus the household if all are fully vaccinated (youth under the age of 12 are exempt). Private outdoor gatherings are limited to 10 additional people plus the household if any of the individuals are eligible but unvaccinated (youth under the age of 12 are exempt).

Current order
Outdoor gatherings at a private residence are limited to 50 additional people plus the household if all are fully vaccinated (youth under the age of 12 are exempt). Private outdoor gatherings are limited to 20 additional people plus the household if any of the individuals are eligible but unvaccinated (youth under the age of 12 are exempt).

 

Restaurants, licensed premises and food courts

Old order
Proof of vaccination is required for those 12 years of age and older. Individuals are required to wear masks but are not required to provide proof of vaccination to enter for the sole purpose of picking up takeout or delivery orders. Restaurants, licensed premises and food courts are limited to 50 per cent capacity and are limited to seated service only with a maximum of 10 people per table. Restaurants, licensed premises and food courts are limited to 50 per cent capacity or 250 persons, whichever is lesser. Liquor sales must end at 10 pm daily.

Current order
Proof of vaccination is required for those 12 years of age and older. Individuals are required to wear masks but are not required to provide proof of vaccination to enter for the sole purpose of picking up takeout or delivery orders. Restaurants, licensed premises and food courts are limited to 50 per cent capacity and are limited to seated service only with a maximum of 10 people per table. Liquor sales must end at 12 am daily.

 

Gyms and fitness centres

Old order
Capacity limited to 50 per cent or 250 people, whichever is less, with proof of immunization required everywhere.

Current order
Capacity limited to 50 per cent with proof of immunization required everywhere.

 

Casinos, bingo halls and VLTs

Old order
Proof of vaccination is required. Capacity is limited to 50 per cent or 250 people, whichever is less.

Current order
Proof of vaccination is required. Capacity is limited to 50 per cent.

 

Museums and galleries

Old order
Museums operate under the requirement to show proof of vaccination when open to the public as a museum. Capacity limited to 50 per cent or 250 people, whichever is less, with proof of immunization required everywhere.

Current order
Museums operate under the requirement to show proof of vaccination when open to the public as a museum. Capacity limited to 50 per cent with proof of immunization required everywhere.

 

Professional sports or performing arts events

Old order
Limited to 50 per cent capacity or 250 people, whichever is less, with proof of immunization required everywhere.

Current order
Limited to 50 per cent capacity with proof of immunization required everywhere.

 

Movie theatres and concert halls

Old order
Limited to 50 per cent capacity or 250 people, whichever is less, with proof of immunization required everywhere.

Current order
Limited to 50 per cent capacity with proof of immunization required everywhere.

 

Indoor religious services and indigenous cultural events

Old order
Indoor cultural and religious services are limited to 25 per cent capacity or a total of 25 people, whichever is lower, when proof of vaccination is not required. Cohorts may be implemented where groups can be physically divided up to a maximum of 10 cohorts or 250 people. Cohorts must not mingle, masks must be worn and physical distancing rules apply. Services restricted to fully immunized people and those under 12 who are not eligible for the vaccine are limited to 50 per cent capacity or 250 people, whichever is less.

Current order
Indoor community, cultural and religious services are limited to 25 per cent capacity or a total of 250 people, whichever is lower, when proof of vaccination is not required. Services restricted to fully immunized people and those under 12 who are not eligible for the vaccine are limited to 50 per cent capacity.

 

Outdoor religious services and indigenous cultural events

Old order
Outdoor cultural and religious services that include one or more unvaccinated person (if they are 12 years of age or older) are restricted to 50 people in outdoor locations. Services restricted to fully immunized people and those under 12 years of age are limited to 50 per cent of the usual capacity of the space or 250 persons, whichever is less. Drive-in services continue unrestricted.

Current order
Outdoor cultural and religious services that include one or more unvaccinated person (if they are 12 years of age or older) are restricted to 50 per cent capacity in outdoor locations. Services restricted to fully immunized people and those under 12 years of age are limited to 50 per cent of the usual capacity of the space. Drive-in services continue unrestricted.

 

Indoor sports and recreation, including dance, theatre and music schools

Old order
Spectator capacity for indoor sporting and recreation facilities is reduced to 50 percent capacity or 250 people, whichever is less and proof of vaccination is required for those 18 and over. While games and practices can continue, no tournaments will be permitted. Proof of at least one dose of vaccination or a recent (within 72 hours) negative rapid test result will be required for 12- 17 year-olds for indoor and recreational sports. Negative rapid tests need to come from a participating pharmacy as provincial testing sites should only be accessed by symptomatic individuals or those who are required to take a PCR test by public health.

Current order
Spectator capacity for sporting and recreation facilities is reduced to 50 per cent and proof of vaccination is required for those 18 and over. Tournaments are allowed. Proof of at least one dose of vaccination or a recent (within 72 hours) negative rapid test result will be required for 12 to 17-year olds for indoor and recreational sports. Negative rapid tests need to be confirmed by a pharmacist or by staff at a nursing station on a First Nation as provincial testing sites should only be accessed by symptomatic individuals or those who are advised to receive testing by public health.

 

Outdoor sports and recreation

Old order
While games and practices can continue, no tournaments will be permitted. Capacity for spectators is limited to 50 per cent or 250 people, whichever is less.

Current order
Games, practices and tournaments permitted. Capacity for spectators is limited to 50 per cent.

 

Retail, markets, garden centres and malls

Old order
Permitting retail capacity at 50 per cent in the Southern Health-Santé Sud health region. This restriction does not apply to the municipalities of Cartier, Headingley, Macdonald, Ritchot (Niverville/Ritchot), St. François Xavier and Taché. Permitting retail capacity at 100 per cent in the InterlakeEastern, Northern, Prairie Mountain Health and Winnipeg capital region, including the municipalities of Cartier, Headingley, Macdonald, Ritchot (Niverville/Ritchot), St. François Xavier and Taché. Physical distancing measures are required. Masks required indoors.

Current order
Retail capacity at 100 per cent throughout Manitoba. Physical distancing measures are required. Masks required indoors.

 

Workplaces

Old order
Open without restrictions. Businesses are required to report two or more positive cases to public health.

Current order
Open without restrictions. No requirement to report cases to public health.