An update regarding the evolving Coronavirus situation:
All presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 in Manitoba have been lab confirmed, for a total of seven lab-confirmed cases. Public health officials are strongly advising all Manitobans, including health-care providers, to cancel or postpone any non-essential international travel. In addition, public health officials are recommending all international travellers self-isolate and self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days after returning to Canada.
Transportation industry partners needs to ensure all companies are made aware of important considerations with respect to essential cross-border crossings. At this time, public health officials are not mandating drivers to self-isolate after crossing the border to ensure essential services continue. However, all companies should make sure drivers are not showing respiratory symptoms before crossing the border and take the necessary measures if they exhibit COVID-19 symptoms. This includes calling Health-Links Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or toll-free at 1-888-315-9257 to speak to a health practitioner and requesting the affected driver to self-isolate until they are assessed. Also, at a press conference earlier today, Prime Minister Trudeau said that at this time, new border controls will not apply to trade and commerce in order to keep Canada’s supply chain open.
While the MTA and RPM offices will remain open during this time, it will be with reduced staffing in place. We have requested that most of our staff work remotely from home for the next two weeks. We are logged into our email in order to serve our members; however, we will be postponing any meetings and member visits. As well, the MTA and RPM course schedules are currently in the process of being revised as we are cancelling/postponing any classes scheduled during the next two weeks. Our websites will be updated today to reflect these changes. We will be reviewing the situation on March 29 and will update members accordingly.