Coronavirus COVID-19 Preparedness

An Important Update for Our Customers

Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries has always believed in providing our customers with honest and accurate information. In these uncertain times, this has never been more important, even when the news we are sharing is difficult.

An employee at our Garden City Liquor Mart (915 Leila Avenue) has notified us that they have been tested for COVID-19 and that initial test results are positive for the virus. They are currently self-isolating at home, and we send them our well wishes for a full recovery.

If you visited the Garden City Liquor Mart between Wednesday, March 25 and Saturday, March 28 and have COVID-19 related symptoms, please self-isolate and call Health Links-Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or toll-free at 1-888-315-9257 for further advice on the need for testing or other measures. If you do not have COVID-19 related symptoms, please continue to self-monitor. An online self-assessment tool is also available to help you determine if you should contact Health Links or seek other medical advice in the future.

Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries is committed to the safety and well-being of our customers and employees. Once we were informed of this news, we reached out to the Public Health Authority who advised us they are conducting a full contact investigation that will determine if any additional individuals will need to self-isolate. We also immediately closed the Garden City Liquor Mart for a deep and thorough sanitization and disinfection, over and above the cleaning protocols already in place due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

At Liquor Marts, we have been diligent in implementing preventative measures recommended by Manitoba Health and the Public Health Agency of Canada to reduce the spread of COVID-19, including enhanced cleaning and social distancing procedures. Plexiglass shields are also in the process of being installed at all Manitoba locations.

To learn more about our response to the COVID-19 pandemic and for the most up-to-date information, please visit mbll.ca/COVID-19 or liquormarts.ca/COVID-19.

Thank you and please take care.

Manny Atwal

President & CEO
Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries

Posted April 1, 2020

Earlier today, Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries was notified by an employee at our Garden City Liquor Mart that they had been tested for COVID-19 and that initial test results have been positive for the virus.

The employee last worked in-store on Saturday, March 28, 2020. They are currently self-isolating and resting at home, and we wish them a full recovery.

Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries has already been in touch with the public health authority who will conduct a thorough contact investigation which will determine if any additional employees or customers will need to self-isolate. We are also reaching out to customers who shopped in store to ensure they are aware of this developing situation.

If you attended the Garden City Liquor Mart recently and think you may have COVID-19 related symptoms, please self-isolate and contact Health Links (204-788-8200 or 1-888-315-9257) for further advice on the need for testing.

The Garden City Liquor Mart is currently closed for a deep and thorough sanitization, over and above the cleaning protocols already in place due to the COVID-19 outbreak. As a precautionary measure the
Main & Pritchard Liquor Mart was also closed for additional cleaning as an employee at that location had been in contact with the presumptive-positive individual.

Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries has been diligent in implementing the preventative measures recommended by Manitoba Health and the Public Health Agency of Canada to reduce the spread of COVID-19, including enhanced cleaning and social distancing measures. We also continue to look for ways to make our environments safer for employees and customers, including the ongoing installation of plexiglass shields at the point of sale in all Liquor Marts. Information on these measures can be found at MBLL.ca/COVID-19 and at LiquorMarts.ca/COVID-19.

Posted April 1, 2020

In a few short weeks, the COVID-19 outbreak has changed how we live, interact with friends and family, and shop in retail stores. When visiting your local Liquor Mart, here’s what you can expect:

We are open, but please check our hours.

Manitoba Liquor Marts are open (we are not included in the closures announced by the province on March 30) but operating on reduced hours.

Most Winnipeg and Brandon Liquor Marts are open Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Sundays, noon to 6:00 p.m.; hours at rural Liquor Marts will vary. Please visit liquormarts.ca/hours for more information.

Please keep your distance.

We are following the latest public health orders to ensure two metres, or six feet, of physical space between individuals at all times.

Based on these guidelines and the square footage of each Liquor Mart, the number of customers and staff allowed in the store at any one time will vary depending on the overall size, with the largest store not having more than 40 people in it at a time, while smaller Liquor Marts will have fewer.

To ensure appropriate social distancing is being followed:

• Our employees will remind our customers to space themselves out while in-store.
• Floor decals have been installed to indicate suitable spacing while waiting in line.
• At stores with controlled entrances, you may be asked to wait outside until the previous customer has cleared the vestibule.
• While waiting outside, please be aware of physical distancing guidelines and leave two metres (six feet) between yourself and the next person in line.

To Protect & Serve.

For the protection of our employees, plexiglass shields will begin to be installed at Winnipeg Liquor Marts the week of March 30 and continue until all stores are complete.

Please be ready to show your AIR MILES card as scanning will take place through the shield. The same goes if you appear under the age of 25 and need to show us your ID (age verification at those Liquor Marts currently without controlled entrances). And while we are happy to provide you with a recyclable paper bag or cardboard box, you will be required to pack your own items.

We have increased the scope and intensity of our cleaning procedures in Liquor Marts. Stores with controlled entrances are following additional cleaning protocols:

• the metal pass-through slot is cleaned with a hydrogen peroxide disinfectant after each customer;
• ID scanning equipment is wiped down after each use with a hydrogen peroxide disinfectant;
• the glass security partition is cleaned regularly; more often if customers have sneezed, coughed, etc. within the space; and
• implemented staggered customer entry to ensure proper social distancing within the vestibule.

We have assigned extra cleaning staff from the Casinos of Winnipeg to assist with the increased cleaning duties in stores. In addition, at all Manitoba Liquor Marts, the following measures are in place:

• sanitizer pump stations are available to customers and employees;
• regular cleaning of countertops, pin pads, and other high traffic areas; and,
• occasionally, stores may be temporarily closed to conduct a full deep cleaning.

How You Can Help.

• If you are experiencing flu like symptoms, or are self-isolating, please don’t visit your local Liquor Mart. It’s up to all of us to do what we can to reduce the spread of COVID-19. 
• Please pay with credit or debit card whenever possible to reduce the handling of cash.
• Please be prepared to pack your own liquor items. We are happy to provide you with a recyclable paper bag or box if needed.
• Consider giving our home delivery service a try. Place and pay for orders online and receive next-day delivery to your door. Delivery service is available in Winnipeg and Brandon only.
• Don’t forget to leave lots of room (two metres, or six feet) between you and other customers while you shop and wait in line.
• Please be patient with our employees, our security, and with each other. We’re all doing the best we can.

Our Return Policy.

At this time, we are not accepting product returns in-store.

Although we know this may be an inconvenience to some, these times are simply not business as usual. Please hold onto your item(s) and receipt and we will honour your return at a later date. Thank you for your cooperation.

Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries continues to closely monitor this evolving situation. We have been diligent in following all Manitoba Health and Public Health Agency of Canada guidelines, implementing preventative measures designed to keep our customers and employees safe while reducing the spread of COVID-19. The health and well-being of our customers and employees has, and will remain, our top priority.

Posted March 30, 2020

Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries continues to follow Manitoba Health and Public Health Agency of Canada guidelines of Canada in respect to social distancing.

In Manitoba Liquor Marts, we are following the latest public health orders to retailers (such as Liquor Marts, grocery stores, and pharmacies) to ensure two metres, or six feet, of physical space between individuals at all times.

Based on these guidelines and the square footage of each Liquor Mart, the number of customers and staff allowed in the store at any one time will vary depending on the overall size, with the largest store not having more than 40 people in it at any one time, while smaller Liquor Marts will have fewer people allowed in at a time.

To ensure appropriate social distancing is being followed;

• Employees will remind customers to space themselves out while in-store.
• Floor decals are being installed to indicate suitable spacing while waiting in line.
• At stores with controlled entrances, customers may be asked to wait outside until the previous customer has cleared the vestibule.
• While waiting outside, customers should remain aware of physical distancing guidelines and leave two metres between themselves and the next person in line.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding as we roll out these new measures.

Posted March 27, 2020

To our Liquor Mart customers,

We are living in unprecedented times.

The COVID-19 outbreak has impacted our world in a way which was unfathomable not that long ago. Over the past two weeks, how we live, work and interact with family and friends has changed dramatically. Even a task as routine as shopping has become an atypical experience.

We would like to assure you that although we have made the decision to reduce our operating hours to align with other retailers, our Liquor Marts remain open and ready to welcome you. We have implemented numerous social distancing and cleaning protocols and are following Manitoba Health and Public Health Agency of Canada guidelines to keep our employees and customers safe by reducing the risk of spreading COVID-19. While you’re visiting your local Liquor Mart, this will impact you in the following ways:

• Due to social distancing guidelines, we are limiting the number of customers in our stores and in controlled entrance vestibules. This could mean a longer wait to enter the store and pay for your items. We thank you for your patience.
• Our employees are happy to pack your purchases in a recyclable paper bag or box, but if you are bringing a reusable bag, please be prepared to pack your own liquor items.
• Please consider paying with credit or debit whenever possible.
• We are not currently accepting product returns. Please hold onto your item(s) and receipt as we will honour it at a later date.
• Consider giving our home delivery service a try. Place and pay for orders online and receive next-day delivery to your door.

Most importantly, just as we have asked our employees to stay home if they are unwell, if you are feeling ill, or showing any symptoms, we ask that you refrain from visiting our stores. During this critical time, we all must rely on each other to use our best judgment.

We also want to take this opportunity to thank our incredible Liquor Mart staff for the dedication they have shown as they keep our stores up and running during this busy and uncertain time. Their perseverance and professionalism are testaments to our ongoing commitment to serving all Manitobans safely and responsibly. If you see one of our employees or a customer going above and beyond, please take a moment to share it with us at contactus@mbll.ca. We would love to know about it.

We know that these are challenging times for us all. We thank all our Liquor Mart customers for their patience and courtesy and will provide any updates as the situation evolves.

Sincerely,

Manny Atwal, President & CEO
Robert Holmberg, Executive Vice President, Liquor Operations

Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries

Published March 31, 2020

Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries has been notified by the Public Health Authority that an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19 visited the Club Regent Casino 14 days ago on March 16, between 1:00 and 4:00 p.m.

If you attended Club Regent Casino during this timeframe and have COVID-19 related symptoms, please self-isolate and contact Health Links (204-788-8200 or 1-888-315-9257) for further advice on the need for testing.

Liquor & Lotteries is working to identify casino employees who worked during this timeframe and may have had close contact with this individual. Club Regent Casino was closed at end of day on March 17, 2020.

Liquor & Lotteries is continuing to follow all provincial and national public health orders and recommendations including social distancing guidelines, enhanced cleaning, and limiting instances of close contact in Liquor Marts, among others.

Our focus remains on the health and safety of our employees and customers as we work through these uncertain times.

Updated March 18, 2020

The Casinos of Winnipeg and Shark Club Gaming Centre are now closed until further notice. PlayNow.com remains open for people who would like to play online.

Our focus remains on the health and safety of our customers and employees as we navigate these unprecedented times.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Published March 31, 2020

Effective April 1, 2020 at 12:01 AM, Manitoba's video lottery terminal (VLT) network was shut down until further notice. All VLTs on all sites across Manitoba are now disabled. 

If you have questions about redeeming your VLT payout slip, please send us a message.

Our focus remains on the health and safety of our patrons and business partners as we work through these uncertain times.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

• April 1, 2020 (6:00 PM) - Publishes statement about Liquor Mart employee tests positive for probable case of COVID-19
• April 1, 2020 (9:30 AM) - Updates Liquor Marts message about What you can expect when you visit your local Liquor Mart.
• March 31, 2020 (3:00 PM) - posts VLT customer message notifying VLT network is closing at end of day.
• March 31, 2020 (1:00 PM) - Updates Casinos of Winnipeg messages with statement about customer testing positive for COVID-19.
• March 30, 2020 (4:30 PM) - Updates Liquor Marts message about social distancing guidelines.
• March 27, 2020 (5:00 PM) - Updates Liquor Marts message about reducing store hours.
• March 23, 2020 (4:00 PM) - Updates Liquor Marts message about limiting use of reusable bags in-store.
• March 20, 2020 (1:45 PM) - Updates Liquor Marts message to advise Liquor Marts are not accepting product returns until further notice.
• March 18, 2020 (1:00 PM) - Updates Liquor Marts message to advise all Liquor Marts remain open and are limiting the number of customers in store to maintain social distance recommendations
• March 18, 2020 (10:30 AM) - Updates Casinos of Winnipeg message to advise all casinos are now closed until further notice. PlayNow.com remains available.
• March 17, 2020 (12:30 PM) - Updates Liquor Marts message to advise regular hours of operation remain in effect
• March 17, 2020 (12:00 PM) - Updates Casinos of Winnipeg message to include closure of the Casinos of Winnipeg and the Shark Club Gaming Centre
• March 16, 2020 (5:00 PM) - updates Casinos of Winnipeg message to include closure of all bingo games
• March 16, 2020 (10:15 AM) - updates Casinos of Winnipeg message to include customer spacing/social distancing at restaurants and between electronic games, elimination of self-serve coffee
• March 13, 2020 - posts first message to Liquor Mart customers
• March 13, 2020 - updates Casinos of Winnipeg message to include closure of table games
• March 13, 2020 - posts first message to Casinos of Winnipeg customers