While provincial health orders are lifting mandatory mask usage as of Mar. 15, Manitoba Public Insurance will become mask-friendly - encouraging its customers to wear a mask when attending a service or claim centre.

However, they will no longer be mandatory.

In situations where distancing is not possible, such as road tests, oral knowledge test appointments and in-office cognitive assessments, MPI encourages customers to wear medical-grade masks. Again, it is not mandatory.

These changes also apply to Driver Z instructors and students for in-car lessons.

“While no longer a health order, we encourage customers to assess their health and personal risk and consider wearing a mask within an MPI facility,” said Satvir Jatana, chief customer officer with MPI.

Recently, MPI announced the suspension of its Third Party Pandemic policy. As a result, individuals will no longer be required to show proof of vaccination or a negative test result for services or appointments where physical distancing or barriers are not possible, which previously included road tests and driver assessments.

The policy previously applied to all third-party individuals, including consultants, volunteers, board members and contractors, including students and instructors in the Driver Z program.

Customers attending any MPI location must continue to adhere to the following requirements, until further notice:
• While customers will again be permitted to wait for their service or appointment in our Service Centre waiting rooms, they will need to maintain social distancing requirements of six feet from staff and other customers.
• Answer pre-screening questions when receiving services or attending appointments. We also encourage customers to continue to also self-screen prior to attending our locations and if they have COVID-19 symptoms, please do not visit until they have subsided.

MPI’s plexiglass barriers will also remain in place to provide additional protection for staff and customers.