Nothing to party about: all quiet on eve of ban

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This article was published 26/04/2021 (1342 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It was the last chance to hold a backyard party, and it seems most people gave it a pass.

Tuesday evening, the Free Press checked out residential neighbourhoods in the West End, Wolseley and West Broadway ahead of the ban on indoor and outdoor gatherings on personal property, set to take effect at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday.

Despite the warm temperature of 18 C, few people were in their yards, though children raced around on bicycles, the smell of barbecued food wafted in the air and plenty sat alone or in couples in the sun, sipping suds.

Some Manitobans, including Jason Parker Quinton, question the wisdom of banning private outdoor gatherings while people from up to four different households will still be allowed to break bread on a restaurant patio.

“I find it bizarre that it will be illegal for me to entertain my grandmother in my backyard,” said Quinton. “However, should I choose to wheel her up to a patio table, we could be joined by two others, all share a plate of nachos, and that is considered safe.”

Others, like East St. Paul resident Teresa, who requested her surname not be used, see merit in limiting private outdoor gatherings.

“if you’re going to your mom’s house or friend’s house — their backyard — you’re comfortable with each other… You might sit closer together, or go in to use the bathroom, or someone goes in to grab something and you follow,” she said.

She is perturbed that some people have continued to gather in unsafe circumstances throughout the pandemic.

“Outside air is outside air, that’s perfectly true, but it’s our behaviour that changes.”

Pam Gordon, a Winnipeg educator and parent of two, said although she’s concerned about rising numbers and that she’ll follow all restrictions, the new measures are a source of despair, particularly for her 17-year-old and 20-year-old.

If her family could have people over outdoors, be it with a mask mandate, distancing or curtailed numbers, she would’ve followed those rules, she said.

“I’ve got a further hardship that I don’t need and then other people… some people aren’t understanding this and will probably continue to do stuff they’re not suppose to.”

“The whole thing is for the greater good. The whole year’s frustrating, but there’s no one to blame, there’s no way around it.”

When asked Tuesday how the private gathering measure will be enforced, the province said it would provide more details to the Free Press on Wednesday.

erik.pindera@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @erik_pindera