Essential Items for Retail Sale (Manitoba)

Updated public health orders come into effect on November 20, 2020, to further limit retail operations to help halt the spread of the COVID-19 virus and protect Manitobans.

A retail business may open but sell only essential items in person. Retailers must ensure compliance with capacity limits — either 25 per cent of the usual capacity of the premise or 250 people — whichever is lower.

Retailers must also implement measures to ensure physical distancing. Retailers can continue to sell essential or non-essential items online, by telephone or by remote means for delivery or curb-side pick-up. A list of essential and non-essential items are set out in the orders as below.

1. Food and beverages
2. Products related to food preparation or storage such as aluminum foil, saran wrap and food containers
3. Personal care products such as soap and skin care products, hair care products, dental care products, eye care products, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, razors and shaving cream
4. Health-related products such as prescription drugs, over the counter medication, vitamins and supplements, birth control and first aid products
5. Mobility or assistive devices, such as wheel chairs, walkers, canes, splints and similar products or supplies
6. Diapers, wipes, baby bottles and other infant feeding and nursing accessories, infant clothing and sleepers, car seats, cribs, strollers, infant carriers and monitors
7. Household paper products such as toilet paper and paper towels
8. Household cleaning products and supplies such as laundry detergent, dish soap, bleach, cleaning agents, mops and brooms
9. Household safety and protection products such as smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers
10. Batteries and light bulbs
11. Winter jackets, snow pants, underwear, winter headwear, gloves and mitts, socks and winter boots
12. Personal protective equipment and protective clothing for use in the workplace
13. Tobacco products
14. Alcohol
15. Cannabis
16. Pet food and supplies
17. Postage stamps
18. Cell phones and cell phone accessories
19. arts and supplies for all types of motor vehicles and watercraft
20. Major household appliances
21. Hunting, fishing and trapping supplies
22. Tools and hardware
23. Materials, parts and components for the maintenance, repair or construction of residential or commercial building systems, including plumbing, electrical and lighting, heating, cooling and ventilation systems
24. Products related to property maintenance such as shovels, snow blowers, sand and road salt

For more information, go to manitoba.ca/covid19