A new Public Health Order will take effect Friday in Manitoba.

Chief Provincial Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin says beginning August 28, Manitobans will be required to self-isolate for 14 days if they have tested positive for COVID-19 or been exposed to COVID-19 by a close contact.

"Close contact is someone within two metres for greater than fifteen minutes of a confirmed case," explains Dr. Roussin. "When we do a contact investigation, we look for anyone who might fit that category."

In determining when someone is considered a close contact, Dr. Roussin says the period of infectivity is two days before symptom onset and ten days following symptom onset.

According to Dr. Roussin, individuals whom this order applies to will be contacted by public health officials. Once notified, that person must go to their residence or an approved self-isolation location and remain there for 14 days or as long as directed by public health. He notes there are exceptions for urgent medical care, but in such a case the individual must wear a mask, maintain physical distancing and minimize their time away from home.

Under the current act, if somebody is not self-isolating, and is putting another person at risk, a communicable disease order can be issued. That individual would then have to violate that order before an order to detain could be applied for. Under the current act, the province has no ability to fine. Beginning Friday, individuals who do not self-isolate as directed can face a fine of up to $486, which could be assessed daily.

"We developed this order in response to some isolated situations where we determined individuals were not self-isolating as appropriate," notes Dr. Roussin.

He says public health has always had the ability to take action on individuals who are not following public health advice through the Public Health Act. However, the new order provides a streamlined approach to that.