Manitoba’s two major political parties say they would not repeat COVID-19 lockdowns

globalnews.ca:

The leaders of Manitoba’s two largest political parties promised Wednesday to not impose any more COVID-19 “lockdowns” as two new opinion polls suggested the Opposition New Democrats had gained a commanding lead in the run-up to the Oct. 3 provincial election.“I can tell you that if we are back in government, we will not be locking down again,” Progressive Conservative Leader Heather Stefanson said during a debate with other party leaders, hosted by the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce.“I will tell you that the unintended consequences of locking people in their homes and shutting down businesses is devastating, and we’ve learned from that,” Stefanson later told reporters, citing a rise in mental health issues and addiction.Manitobans were never locked in their homes.

But at the height of the pandemic, there were temporary restrictions on having visitors. Non-essential businesses were briefly closed and then reopened at reduced capacity.

Strict limits were imposed on public gatherings.Stefanson was a cabinet minister throughout the pandemic, including a stint as health minister for several months in 2021, a time when COVID-19 surged and dozens of intensive care patients were flown to other provinces because of a lack of beds.NDP Leader Wab Kinew told reporters after the debate he would also not bring in previous pandemic restrictions, such as closing businesses or limiting public gatherings.“The idea of bringing our economy to a halt again is not something we can contemplate in the future in Manitoba,” Kinew said.“Manitobans are ready to turn the page on the pandemic.”The key, he added, is to expand hospital capacity to ensure people who get sick can get treatment. Both Kinew and Stefanson said it’s also important that people