Research |
COVID-19 Easing Restrictions (August 2021 Results)
August 13, 2021
Click here for a print friendly version of this report
Easing of restrictions as of August 7, 2021
On August 7, 2021, the provincial government announced that restrictions would be eased and provincial reopening would begin sooner than planned. This was thanks to the extraordinary efforts of Manitobans to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Manitobans support easing restrictions, not dropping masks
Sixty percent of Manitobans support the province easing public health restrictions at this time, including 28% who strongly support the move. However, a similar proportion (60%) oppose dropping the mandatory mask mandate in indoor public spaces, including 40% who strongly oppose it.
Those living outside of Winnipeg (73%) and those who have received a single dose (88%) or have not received a dose at all (90%) are most likely to support the loosening of restrictions. Similarly, those living outside of Winnipeg (57%) and those who have received a single dose (72%) or have not received a dose at all (88%) are most likely to support removing the mask mandate.
Most Manitobans will continue mask wearing in stores
Two-thirds of Manitobans (67%) say they will continue to wear masks most or all of the time in retail stores and other
businesses, even if they are not required. In indoor public spaces where masks are not required, about 1 in 5 Manitobans will drop mask wearing altogether.
People living in Winnipeg (78%) are much more likely than those living outside the city (48%) to report they will continue to wear a mask (always/most of the time) in stores and businesses that do not require it. The vast majority of fully vaccinated Manitobans (83%) will continue to wear a mask always or most of the time, compared to only 11% of those who are unvaccinated.
Manitobans strongly support businesses requiring masks
Although no longer a requirement of public health orders, most Manitobans (82%) are in support of businesses such as
retail stores, salons, and gyms requiring their patrons to continue wearing masks while indoors, which includes 68% who strongly support the requirement.
Those who are fully vaccinated (96%) or have at least one dose (94%) say they support (somewhat or strongly) businesses requiring patrons to wear masks. Only 23% of those who are unvaccinated support businesses requiring patrons to wear masks.
About half of Manitobans (52%) say they are much more or somewhat more likely to visit a business that is enforcing a
mask rule, while 18% are much less or somewhat less likely to visit such businesses. Winnipeggers (61%) would be more likely than non-Winnipeggers (39%) to visit such businesses, as would fully vaccinated Manitobans (68%) compared to those who are unvaccinated (6%).
Almost all of those who say they are more likely to visit businesses requiring masks will always (45%) or sometimes (53%) go out of their way to do so. Conversely, almost all those less likely to visit businesses with a mask mandate say they will always (58%) or sometimes (40%) go out of their way to visit businesses not enforcing mask wearing.
Methodology
PRA conducted the survey from August 9–11, 2021, using its Manitoba Panel. In total, 800 Manitobans completed the survey.
Because this sample is a non-probability sample, no error rate can be calculated. A random population survey of this size would yield an error rate of ± 3.5% (19 times out of 20).
As any sample may not represent the population perfectly, PRA corrects statistically for discrepancies in gender, age, and income to ensure that the sample corresponds as closely as possible to Statistics Canada information. Particularly for this study, PRA corrected for vaccine doses within the weighting scheme.
PRA Inc. sponsored these questions independently.
No other organization, public or private, funded this study in whole or in part.
For more information about the research, please contact Nicholas Borodenko, partner, at borodenko@pra.ca
(204) 987-2030 or toll-free at 1-888-877-6744
Recent Posts
Manitobans Express Growing Concern Over Potential US Tariffs and Adjust Habits to Support Local Economy
February 12, 2025Authored by Zia HameedQuestions about the research can be directed to Nicholas Borodenko, borodenko@pra.ca Recently, the United States proposed to impose tariffs on Canada, initially set to be implemented on February 4, 2025. However, a temporary 30-day pause has been agreed upon. A recent survey conducted by PRA Inc. has revealed that Manitobans […]
Non-seatbelt use higher in rural Manitoba, while electronic communication device use higher in Winnipeg: Manitoba Public Insurance
A road safety observation study commissioned last fall by Manitoba Public Insurance reports that non-seatbelt use is higher in rural Manitoba with 10 per cent of all drivers observed not wearing their seatbelt, compared to three per cent in the Winnipeg capital region.