If it feels like fewer places are now mandating the use of protective masks, that trend will likely soon change.Dr. Brent Roussin is Chief Provincial Public Health Officer. He says the recommendation to wear masks, in response to COVID-19, will likely intensify this fall.

"What I would foresee is when respiratory virus season comes, it's very likely that we'll be recommending that Manitobans wear masks in public indoor places," says Dr. Roussin.

Dr. Roussin says there is no specific date in mind for when mask wearing in public will be recommended, but he notes it will probably come at the beginning of flu season.Dr. Roussin says public health officials expect a lot of respiratory illness in Manitoba again this year, just like every year, and so mask wearing becomes the next intervention.