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A big change announced this morning with the Province saying that testing criteria has been expanded to any Manitoban with symptoms which could even include mild symptoms such as a cough, runny nose, sore throat and/or fever. Testing is done by referral, so one would be required to call Health Links–Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or (toll-free) at 1-888-315-9257 for further information. .  
 
Full details are available at:  
https://news.gov.mb.ca/news/?archive=&item=47661  
 
Brandon has a drive-thru testing location which is detailed in the embed below, but reminder to first call Health Links and to not just drive up unannounced:  

Brandon COVID-19 Testing Site is located at the Town Centre parkade in Brandon. Remember an appointment is required.
There are 2 ways you can enter the parkade as indicated on the post. @bdnmbca pic.twitter.com/FneiyzyOE3

— Prairie Mountain Health (@PrairieMtHealth) April 27, 2020

The Province has announced no new COVID-19 cases today, leaving the Manitoba total at 272. Out of those cases, 209 are listed as recovered and 57 as active cases.  
 
Tomorrow the Province says it will be announcing its cautious, evidence-based re-open strategy.  
 
Today's full bulletin can be seen at:  
https://news.gov.mb.ca/news/?archive=&item=47662

An example of Monday's changes... at least one restaurant advertising that its patio will be open with limited seating:  
 
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View this post on Instagram

Our patio will be open on Monday!! And, although it will be limited seating, we couldnu2019t be more excited u2600ufe0f We will continue to follow all of the guidelines set out by the government and adhere to our high standards for food preparation and cleanliness u2764ufe0f More details to follow #wemadeit #patioseasonishere #patiodrinkstastebetter #wealldeserveamargarita #bestmondayever #ojsbrandon #brandonmb

A post shared by Original Joeu0026#39;s Brandon (@ojsbrandon) on Apr 29, 2020 at 11:18am PDT

In addition to Original Joe's, another patio that tells me they’re opening Monday is East Side Mario’s. 7 days a week, 11:45am-9pm. An extra hour to 10pm on Fri and Sat.  

Montanas is intending to but still sorting out details  

Firehouse, The Dock, BP (under Reno), Blue Hills Bakery, Georgies have no plans to open their patios at present. 

The Brandon Public Library is making preparations to open by the end of May, as per:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_lAPA_Jdgu/

The Westman Foot Clinic will be re-opening on Monday. Patients are asked to wear masks. No public washrooms will be available. 

A few notes from yesterday’s City of Brandon live stream...  
 
-With the change in weather, Police and Fire are ceasing taking new birthday bookings for the drivings they have been doing through city neighbourhoods (no change to existing bookings). Mayor Chrest said that by the time all is said and done there will have been about 150 (!!) of these done.  
 
-The city is reviewing guidelines released Wednesday by the Province and are looking at reintroducing access to some city facilities and outdoor recreation amenities. They are expecting to announce soon. In mean time and with the warming of weather please keep in mind that there have been no changes as of today. Facilities including the skate park and playgrounds remain closed today.  
 
-City is asking that yard/garage sales not be held and in stead be postponed since it is not reasonable to safely hold within present social distancing guidelines.  

-For those with loved ones and friends currently in the hospital whom they are unable to visit under current restrictions, Prairie Mountain Health has a great “well wishes” program that allows you to send a note. For details please see https://www.prairiemountainhealth.ca/pmh-well-wishes
 
The whole steam can be seen at:  
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrbxqvwt4ahPtKXj-LGjn8Q

In today's update, the Province reports two new cases to bring the Manitoba total to 275. Prairie Mountain Health shows as having 15 of those cases, the same number as yesterday.  
 
Today's bulletin in full is at:  
https://news.gov.mb.ca/news/?archive=&item=47667  
 
A reminder that starting Monday there will be a measured, phased approach to re-opening some services and businesses. It would be a good idea for anyone that hasn't to review the info the province has posted at the link below to know where we are right now within the wider pandemic response along with what comes next:  
https://manitoba.ca/asset_library/en/proactive/2020_2021/restoring-safe-services.pdf

The web version of the same is at:
https://manitoba.ca/covid19/restoring/index.html

A few golf courses in the area that I’m aware of opening on Monday. Please be informed on any social distancing expectations in place at each (see link for more details and/or phone).  
 
Wheat City Golf Course:  
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_lze5HgCv8/?igshid=1f4pl87xiiwex 

Deer Ridge:  
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_m-jtTAsw-/

Glen Lea:
Have told me that plan to open on Monday. Further details forthcoming. 

Sunnyside. Not 100% clear on exact day, but are saying in the post below that they'll be opening next week:
https://www.facebook.com/sunnysidegolf.ca/photos/a.525143000966481/1637832496364187/?type=3&theater

Poplar Ridge:
https://www.facebook.com/golfpoplarridge/posts/2897114740370424 

Keep an eye on this thread over the coming days.. will update with info on more courses as well as businesses in general as details are learned. If you have info that should be passed along please feel free to drop me a note through the Contact link or give me a call. 

Edited by admin, 2020-04-30 23:08:25. Reason: Added Glen Lea, Sunnyside

Details on the city’s plan to restore access to some outdoor facilities over the course of next week:
https://www.brandon.ca/public-notices-details?var=5913

Shoppers Mall will be open Monday through Sunday from 11am-6pm starting this Monday. It sounds like it won’t be clear until Monday who all is opening as far as tenants but would expect info to trickle out from individual tenants over the next few days. Have talked to three separate food court tenants who are all considering opening plans... but nothing to confirm yet.  
 
The four main mall entrances will be open...  
Entrance beside Shoppers Drug Mart, entrance beside Smitty’s, entrance near Dollarama, entrance near Food Court.  

The entrance beside Delta 9 and entrances facing 20th street will remain closed.  
 
Will update more when learned/confirmed.

Regarding playground openings over the course of next week, an important distinction to make...  
 
The city has said that starting on Monday and during the week they will be going through the process of making playgrounds available. When open its expected they will be used within physical distancing guidelines. Those that are effected by the city announcement are those under management by the city (eg. Rideau Park, Parkdale Park, Dinsdale).  

Many more playgrounds are on Brandon School Division property. I've been told this morning by a BSD representative that the division is waiting for direction from Manitoba Education and the Risk Manager at MSBA regarding re-opening. So as of this morning there is no announcement re any change to school playgrounds. Will update if more is learned!

Rockin the Fields sent out a press release this afternoon advising that the 2020 event has been postponed to July 30-August 1, 2021. Tickets purchased for 2020 will be valid for 2021. Haven’t identified exact artists but are saying that the lineup will be mostly in tact for 2021 with most acts already confirming  
 
Info on refunds if required is said to come in the weeks ahead.

Full press release link: https://rockinthefields.ca/

Four new cases reported by the Province in today's COVID-19 bulletin, giving Manitoba 279.  
 
The Prairie Mountain Health region shows 17 cases, which is two more than yesterday. In fact going back to the April 29 bulletin, 3 of the past 7 cases reported in Manitoba appear to have been Prairie Mountain cases based on numbers released. 
 
Today's full bulletin is at:  
https://news.gov.mb.ca/news/?archive=&item=47697  
 
Detailed stats continue to be published by the Province at:  
https://manitoba.ca/covid19/updates/index.html

Per link below, the Wheat City Whiskey Jacks will not be able to play home games this season in Brandon as a result of restrictions on the size of gatherings. Home games for 2020 will be played in North Dakota. In terms of games in Brandon, the team is now looking to 2021: 

https://www.facebook.com/320400741890979/posts/606479303283120/?d=n

A mix of hour changes/openings... Intending to post regular updates over the next few days as known. 

Aaltos/Tavern United. Patio opens starting Monday and will serve from both restaurants' menus starting at 11am daily. Also continuing to deliver via Skip and offer pickup  

Brandon Photographics. Re-opening beginning Monday

Glen Lea Golf. Further details on their Monday 8am opening including updated rules at:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_qP5ddgaDp/

Lady of the Lake. Opening store By appointment.  https://www.instagram.com/p/B_qiUUnA1tx/

Mulligans. Opening Monday at 11am  
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_p_xy_gMD3/

Soft Moc. Have said in an e-mail to their list that re-opening Manitoba stores on May 4.

Source for Sports. Opening beginning Monday. 10:30am-6pm  https://www.instagram.com/p/B_tP0sxgCSo/?igshid=zr359zobo29y

Walmart. New hours are 8am-11pm Monday-Saturday plus 7am-8pm for seniors/the vulnerable. 9am-6pm Sunday. 

Will also work to update hours page beginning Monday as statuses change and info comes to my attention, but when check with a business direct where at all possible if status is unknown. 

A few more updates. Many more to come I would wager....  
 
Blue Hills Bakery will resume more extended hours beginning Monday. Hours to be 8am-2pm Monday-Friday.  
 
Brown's Socialhouse will be opening their patio on Monday with limited seating.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_u4gkwA7aA/ 
 
Montana's has confirmed patio opening beginning Monday with hours of Mon 12-8. Fri-Sat 12-9. Sun 12-8.  
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_v7nYAgvsG/
 
Sunnyside Golf has confirmed a Monday opening. Reminder that as per regulations from the province, for all golf courses one is required to book ahead of time prior to attending.

Per below, Sunset Rotary is canceling 2020 Ribfest:

https://www.facebook.com/327433424105456/posts/1488136471368473/?d=n

Another round of updates...  
 
BOBHQ is back open to the public Monday-Saturday 10am - 8pm Monday, Sundays 11am-6pm. Physical distancing measures in place, max 10 customers in the store at once.  
 
Browns Socialhouse initially planned to open Monday and have according to a restaurant representative been cleared to do so by Manitoba Health. The restaurant will however be unable to open it’s patio for the time being after being denied by the LGCA. Efforts continue to be underway be able to open in the not too distant future. Takeout and delivery remain available.  
 
Canadian Tire I see has posted hours of 8am-8pm Monday-Saturday, 9am-6pm Sunday.  
 
Smitten. Open Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm, continue encouraging orders by online/phone/messenger for curbside pickup. More details at:  https://www.facebook.com/areyousmitten/ 
 
Sport Chek is open in the mall over mall hours of 11am-6pm. Max 25 customers in store at once.

Okay, here goes... Shoppers Mall. Mall itself is open 11am-6pm 7 days. Four main entrances are open, the two smaller doors facing 20th street are closed.  
 
Below is what I've learned from tenants so far. Overall the trend is that some are open aleady today with quite a few more joining by the end of the week pending various circumstances. If you don't see a name on this list don't interpret that to mean they aren't open... it means I havent been in touch with anyone to confirm. If you see a 'closed' and you're reading more than a day or two after this list was posted please verify with the store since openings could happen at any time.   
 
OPEN (hours are mall hours unless otherwise noted)  
-Bluenotes (starting Tuesday) 
-Boathouse  
-Delta 9.  Sun-Thurs 10am-10pm, Fri-Sat 10am-11pm  
-Dollarama: Open normal hours of Mon-Fri 10am-9pm, Sat 9:30am-6pm, Sun 11am-6pm  
-Eclipse  
-Hallmark.  Limit of 1 person per family, 10 minutes to shop.
-Hedleys Health Hut: Open Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 11am-6pm  
-Reesors  
-Shoppers Drug Mart: Hours 8am-10pm. Entrance through main store door, no connection open to the Mall interior.  
-Showcase  
-Smittys: Open 11am-7pm all seven days (takeout and delivery)
-Sobeys: Open 8am-9pm with an early hour for the vulnerable. Extends to 10pm starting Monday. Sundays 9am-6pm. Enter via independent store door, mall connection closed until June 1.  
-Soft Moc: Open as per corporate email  
-Sport Chek 
-Xplore mobile: By appointment only. Book through website.  
 
CLOSED RIGHT NOW BUT OPENING SOON  
-Charm Diamonds: Open beginning Wednesday  
-la Vie en Rose: Opening Wednesday at the latest  
-Reitmans: Planning to open on May 19  
-Shoe Warehouse: Hopeful for opening Tuesday at 12pm
-Telus/Myphone: Opening by mid-month  
-Urban Trail: Hoping for opening later in the week  
-Wireless Wave: Opening May 11  
 
CLOSED, OPENING DATE UNKNOWN  
-Bath & Body Works. Closed per voicemail
-Bell MTS.  
-Dynamite
-Foot Locker  
-Garage  
 
FOOD COURT (Takeout only, seating is closed)  
-Tim Horton's: Open daily at 10:30am  
-Thai Express: Open mall hours daily  
-A & W: closed  
-DQ/Orange Julius. closed, opening TBD.   
-Subway. closed, hopeful for opening next week

Fabricland. Have re-opened.  Mon-Wed, Fri & Sat: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm, Thurs: 10:00 am - 8:00 pm, Sun: 11:00 am - 6:00 pm  
 
Guild Insurance. Both Victoria Ave and Shoppers Mall locations have doors closed though are available to assist by phone (204.729.4949), text (same number) or email. Will re-assess after the long weekend.  
 
Nearly New Store. Have said they will not be opening during the month of May.  
 
Telus Corral Centre. Hours are presently Monday-Saturday 11-6pm, Sunday 11-5pm.