Manitoba eases up on some COVID-19 restrictions, now allowing drive-in church services

While the Manitoba government is prolonging many of its COVID-19 restrictions, it is easing up on certain restrictions including now allowing drive-in church services and drive-through holiday light displays.

A current Manitoba public health order prohibiting physical religious gatherings, including drive-in ones, will be lifted Friday, the Canadian Press reports. Drive-in services will be allowed to commence so long as participants stay in their vehicles.

"This was one of the measures that we had been contemplating lifting as soon as somewhat reasonable," Manitoba’s chief public health officer, Dr. Brent Roussin, said Tuesday.

"We’re going to watch this very closely and if adherence isn’t very good then we could change course on that," he continued.

Winnipeg's Springs Church recently tried to overturn the public health order, asking the Court of Queen’s Bench to remove the ban last weekend, though they were unsuccessful and the ban stayed instated. Springs Church was fined for holding parking lot services, disregarding the order, the Canadian Press reports.

In addition to drive-in religious services, thrift stores will be added to the list of businesses allowed to operate and school supplies and holiday decorations will be considered essential supplies under the new mandate.

Drive-through holiday decoration displays will also be allowed, although many of the other restrictions under the public health order will remain at least until January 8.

"Our numbers are still too high. This is not the time to let up," Roussin explained.

Permitted public gatherings will reportedly remain limited to five people, businesses will only be able to sell "essential items" in stores and restaurants will only be allowed to serve through delivery or pick-up options.