New restrictions on gatherings in Manitoba start today, limiting them to 10 people or fewer in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The restrictions, made under the Public Health Act, apply to indoor and outdoor premises, all events such as weddings and funerals, and places of worship. They do not apply to places where health care or social services are provided, such as child-care centres and homeless shelters.

Shopping centres, food stores, gas stations and pharmacies can stay open, but physical distancing of one to two metres must be enforced.

The 10-person cap also does not apply to workplaces, but employers are encouraged to enforce physical distancing.

Chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin announced the restrictions Friday, saying they would come into effect on Monday.

Reducing the maximum gathering size in the province is intended to mitigate community transmission of the virus, he said.