Manitoba is going into Lockdown 2.0.  Out of an abundance of caution we should immediately reinstate the 14-day travel isolation with Western Canada and Northwestern Ontario.

Most Manitobans understand why we have travel restrictions with the United States, Ontario and Quebec, so why is discretionary travel still allowed out West?  Alberta has the second highest infection rate per 100,000 in Canada, and no isolation measures with the rest of Canada. 

Recently the Albertan and Saskatchewan Premiers have stated that they do not want another lockdown.  There is a real danger that Manitoba will get re-infected from these Provinces once our lockdown is lifted.  This in turn could start new cycles of escalating cases and more lockdowns in the future.

After the 14-day isolation period was lifted by Manitoba in June, there were many people who decided to see family or vacation out West.  The first documented outbreak after Lockdown 1.0 was linked to someone attending a funeral in Alberta, and who did not need to isolate upon return.  With Winter trips to Alberta and British Columbia a distinct possibility in the coming months, we could find ourselves repeating history and ending up back at square one.

Manitoba should follow proven successful countries like Australia and New Zealand.  Australia in particular provides an excellent blueprint for how a similar country implemented a lockdown, followed by managed 14-day isolation between regions within the country to successfully get to, and maintain, zero community spread of COVID-19.  They have now fully opened up their economy, with full sports stadiums, no capacity limits, and life returning more or less to normal.

"Living with the Virus" is not a proven strategy, and so far, it isn't working out well in Canada, or anywhere else it is being tried.  I for one would rather "live without the virus".