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Unmasked shoppers protest at Polo Park
MAGGIE MACINTOSH FEBRUARY 12, 2022
Security guards stationed themselves at every entrance of Manitoba’s largest mall Saturday in preparation for the arrival of anti-mask protesters.
Shortly after noon, small groups of unmasked shoppers walked through various doors of CF Polo Park.
The overwhelming majority of visitors to the mall followed public health protocols, but upwards of 30 people walked around without face coverings.
Despite the province’s plans to rollback mask requirements in the coming weeks, individuals showed up to express their distaste for mandates under the “Mega Maskless Manitoba” banner.
“I have never worn a mask. It’s a muzzle. It’s a psychological manipulation. It’s not a crime to breathe freely,” said Dee Black, who lingered by the food court without a mask.
Upon being approached by a reporter, some protesters expressed distaste for media outlets and spouted both conspiracy theories and misinformation.
Leading up to the event, organizers took to social media to encourage participants to wear “any trucker or Canadiana clothing.”
Mall management indicated earlier this week they were preparing additional security measures for Saturday. Winnipeg police also dispatched officers to the mall to monitor the situation.
One security guard said he and his colleagues’ goal is to maintain peace at the mall. He indicated all they can do is inform unmasked people of the current public health rules.
Every guard stationed at an entrance each had a supply of masks on them to offer unmasked people.
Since late September 2020, face coverings have been required in malls and all other indoor facilities in Manitoba to mitigate the risk of spreading COVID-19 via aerosols.
The mandate was lifted for a total of three weeks at the end of the summer. It was reintroduced before the 2021-22 school year got underway to both address a rising caseload and protect the healthcare system from being overwhelmed during the fourth wave.
On Friday, Premier Heather Stefanson announced that mask requirements and remaining public health orders will disappear, as of March 15.
“We need to end the divisiveness between families, between communities, we need to move forward,” Stefanson told reporters. “It’s time to bring Manitobans back together again.”
Twitter: u/macintoshmaggie