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Free Press Head Start for Dec. 16

Good morning.

Provincial governments are making or considering changes to limit the spread of the omicron COVID-19 variant — except Manitoba’s. Ontario will shorten the waiting period for booster shots starting Monday. Alberta will make more than 500,000 rapid antigen test kits available for free starting Friday. Quebec’s premier said his government might reconsider increasing indoor gathering limits from 10 people to 20 on Dec. 23. Manitoba’s government said it plans to maintain current public health restrictions for now.

European Union leaders are meeting today to discuss a rise in coronavirus infections and the emergence of the omicron variant. France announced today it will restrict travel from the U.K. starting later this week amid a spike in infections.

The federal government agreed to create Canada’s third territory, Nunavut, 30 years ago today. Nunavut officially became a territory in 1999.

— Adam Treusch, assignment editor

 

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What’s happening today

Dr. Brian Penner receives the first COVID-19 inoculation in Manitoba from LoriAnn Laramee, a public health nurse, at Health Sciences Centre on Dec. 16, 2020. (John Woods / The Canadian Press files)

Dr. Brian Penner receives the first COVID-19 inoculation in Manitoba from LoriAnn Laramee, a public health nurse, at Health Sciences Centre on Dec. 16, 2020. (John Woods / The Canadian Press files)

Inoculation anniversary: Health Minister Audrey Gordon and Dr. Joss Reimer, the medical lead of Manitoba’s vaccine implementation task force, are holding a media event to mark the anniversary of the COVID-19 vaccine campaign. Here is our article from one year ago today. READ MORE

Russia drafts security pacts: A spokesman for Russia’s government says it has submitted draft documents outlining security pacts it wants to negotiate with the U.S. and its NATO allies amid increasing tensions regarding Ukraine. The spokesman says a senior Russian envoy is ready to immediately depart for talks in a neutral country. The Associated Press reports. READ MORE

Typhoon lashes Philippines: A powerful typhoon hit the southeastern Philippines earlier today. Nearly 100,000 people have been evacuated. The Associated Press reports. READ MORE

Traffic note: Fort Street is closed from Graham Avenue to Portage Avenue until Wednesday so a tower crane can be dismantled. READ MORE

Weather

Your forecast: Mainly cloudy with a 30 per cent chance of flurries for the remainder of the morning, a high of -12 C, wind chill as low as -27 this morning and wind from the northwest at 40 km/h gusting to 60.

In case you missed it

THE CANADIAN PRESS/John WoodsWinnipeg Blue Bombers and fans celebrate the team's Grey Cup in Winnipeg on Wednesday.

THE CANADIAN PRESS/John WoodsWinnipeg Blue Bombers and fans celebrate the team’s Grey Cup in Winnipeg on Wednesday.

Basking in Grey Cup glory: Fans filled IG Field to celebrate the Blue Bombers’ second consecutive Grey Cup win. Melissa Martin reports. READ MORE

‘Don’t have a specific plan’: The provincial government is not planning for a buffer period of remote learning when school resumes in the new year. Maggie Macintosh reports. READ MORE

Ending mandatory OT: St. Boniface Hospital is ending mandatory overtime shifts for nurses except in certain situations and is asking nurses to “come together as a team” to voluntarily work additional shifts as needed. Malak Abas reports. READ MORE

On this date

On Dec. 16, 1961: The Winnipeg Free Press reported an epidemic of hepatitis was sweeping through a facility for people with intellectual disabilities in Portage la Prairie, with 300 cases identified over the previous three months. The U.S. and its allies successfully defeated a Soviet-led motion at the United Nations to seat Communist China and eject Nationalist China. President Moise Tshombe of the Congo’s secessionist Katanga province fled that province’s capital as UN forces scored new successes in a large offensive against his troops.

Today’s front page

Get the full story: Read today’s e-edition of the Winnipeg Free Press READ MORE

 

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