Coronavirus crisis
An employee who tested positive for COVID-19 last worked on Saturday at the Leila Avenue and McPhillips Street Liquor Mart. (John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press files)
Closed for cleaning: Two Liquor Marts were closed for cleaning Wednesday after an employee at the Garden City location tested positive for the new coronavirus. The location at 1005 Main St. was also closed because a staff member had been in contact with the Garden City employee. READ MORE
Testifying in teleconference: Federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau is slated to testify at a teleconference meeting of a House of Commons committee today, where he will face questions about the Liberal government’s handling of the financial crisis caused by the coronavirus. Meanwhile, reports on the cost of four measures included in last week’s financial aid package will be released. The Canadian Press reports. READ MORE
Canadians on cruise ships: Nearly 250 Canadians are set to arrive in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on two cruise ships this afternoon. No COVID-19 cases have been confirmed among the ships’ Canadian passengers, and U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday they will be heading home. READ MORE
Afternoon update: Provincial health officials will give their daily update on COVID-19 cases at 1 p.m. Manitoba announced 24 new cases Tuesday, for a total of 127. Larry Kusch and Carol Sanders report. READ MORE
Weather
Your forecast: A snowfall warning is in effect for much of Manitoba. In Winnipeg, there will be freezing drizzle and then up to 10 cm of snow today, with another 5 to 10 cm tonight and more snow Friday. Today’s low is -5 C, with wind from the northwest at 30 km/h gusting to 50 and wind chill as low as -13 late this afternoon.
More on pandemic
Educational assistant Charmaine Gomes feels privileged to still have a job but is afraid she might not have one for long. (Ruth Bonneville / Winnipeg Free Press)
School staff seek answers: Thousands of school support staff members such as educational assistants are waiting to see how they will be deployed after spring break. The Canadian Union of Public Employees Manitoba says there is enough work for everyone despite classes moving online. Maggie Macintosh reports. READ MORE
‘Seems so wrong’: A home-care nurse told the Free Press she’s worried about a lack of disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer. Manitoba Nurses Union president Darlene Jackson said she has heard the same concerns from other home-care nurses. Melissa Martin reports. READ MORE
Expanded offerings: Museums and art galleries are generating new content through virtual experiences visitors can enjoy online. Frances Koncan reports. READ MORE
Songs for church services: Christian singer-songwriter Steve Bell is allowing churches free use of his songs for online services. John Longhurst reports. READ MORE
Marsalis mourned: Ellis Marsalis Jr., the jazz pianist and patriarch of a New Orleans musical family, has died at 85 after contracting the virus. Four of his six sons are musicians, including Wynton, a trumpeter, and Branford, a saxophonist who formerly led The Tonight Show band. The Associated Press reports. READ MORE
In other news
MIKE APORIUS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILESThe Gimli Film Festival is looking for home video or film footage featuring late local landmarks, such as the United Army Surplus store on Portage Avenue.
Movie memories: Manitobans can transfer up to an hour of their home movies to a digital format for free through a project by the Gimli Film Festival. Randall King reports. READ MORE
Game on: The Manitoba eSports Association — featuring local talent and some of the top video game players in North America — debuts this weekend, offering sports-starved viewers something to watch. Taylor Allen reports. READ MORE
On this date
On April 2, 2007: The Winnipeg Free Press reported that Nelly Furtado was a big winner at the Juno Awards in Saskatoon, serving not only as host but also taking home five awards. Thousands of fans lined up for autographs from their favourite stars in the World Women’s Hockey Championship. Many Free Press readers said they’d pay more tax to bring the NHL back to Winnipeg. Canadian troops in Kandahar, Afghanistan, got tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of ball-hockey equipment.
Today’s front page
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