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I was waiting outside Walmart last night because my roommate was doing our shopping (following the 1 per household restriction). While I waited I watched countless people exit the store with no bags, must have just been browsing for something to do. And then there were those who were walking out with their friends and family members like there were no restrictions in place. What is also disturbing was watching a group of seven people enter, multiple groups of 2+ people walking in together and the person watching the door paid no attention whatsoever.  
I can understand two people going into together if one is in need of assistance but that is the only reason.  
 
Covid is never going to be under control unless people do their part. Also, think about the healthcare workers who are risking their lives to help those with Covid. They didn't sign up to risk their lives everyday at work so people can be ignorant and do whatever they want - no one's life is more important than anyone else's but apparently some individuals think this way. I know some of you don't think Covid is real but how do you explain all the deaths and all the people in ICU? Have you ever wondered why smallpox and measles aren't problematic anymore? Oh wait vaccines! Yes you can argue they don't work but I doubt your a scientist who has spent the last year in a laboratory doing research. We need to stop worrying about peoples individuals rights and think about what's best for the rights of society or this is never going to end!  
 
I want to end my mini rant by expressing my thanks and appreciation to all the healthcare workers for their hard work and for putting their lives (and their families) on the line everyday.

People being entitled and thinking they are the exception to the rule is why we are still under strict lockdown.  
 
I work in a furniture store, and we have had guests either get mad when we inform them of the current rules, blatantly lie about having come in with someone or "play the game" by having 1 person sit in the car while one browses and then switching out. That isn't "technically" breaking the rules, per say, but it does go against the whole intent- to only have 1 person being exposed, per household, to do essential shopping only.  
 
Makes me wish that we would just be told to close- give all these selfish rule breakers less opportunities to keep breaking rules and keep extending these restrictions.

Well, no bags doesn't mean they didn't buy something or weren't genuinely shopping.  
There are lots of things that one might buy that doesn't need a bag and many things are simply out of stock. Or they could have enven dropped off a pres:cription.  
I have seen people shop and buy stuff too just because they are bored. That doesn't really mean they should be out either. But they are...  
Some people might be in a group of two because they can't help it. After I got vaccinated, I couldn't be left alone for 24hrs because I have anaphylaxis to a food item that is also common in medication. So that meant that when my daughter (who was with me for those 24 hrs) discovered she needed something from Shoppers Mall, I had to go with her since I couldn't be left alone. Really boring since I didn't actually need anything. Try to remember there are unseen medical conditions that can affect numbers. I do realize that will be only a few (yet more than you might guess), but with the vaccination being new, that can affect household numbers. And the few households can stand out, seeming like a lot.  
As for the seven people, I can't really answer that one. Or even logic that.  
While I do understand your frustration, OP, please realize that not everyone in groups are being self entitled or trying to break the rules.  
I do realize there are those who will do whatever thru want regardless of restrictions. But I think that I'd the few rather than the majority.  
 
Edited by AndreaD., 2021-05-31 17:54:47

I totally agree some people might shop in pairs because of medical issues or they need assistance in some way. However, I would say the ones I witnessed were out with friends who were more than healthy (smoking, laughing, etc). When they saw me watching them together they automatically walked apart until they passed me and then joined up together. Maybe the premier should shut everything down and only let certain addresses shop for food/pres:criptions on specific days. Might make some people realize the longer they ignore the restrictions, the longer they will last. I would argue those breaking the rules don't care about anyone else, particularly the healthcare workers (and all other essential workers) who most likely will be caring them in the future.

...when you tell a twosome or group, as they enter the store where you work, that they cannot shop together and they tell you they can because they are not from the same household.

is no excuse for anyone to be verbally abusive / agressive towards staff unless they are being rude or verbally abusive to them first, but I highly doubt in these situations the customer is wronged first.  
I'm guessing in the case of places like walmart you have maybe just one person outside trying to keep an eye on everyone and trying to do their job (there should be at least 2 outside watching lines and sneaky people), or they really dont care how many go in, or they have dealt with some very abusive customers and are keeping quiet? Maybe they have been threatend?

Its very frustrating, I am one that has to have someone with me when shopping as I suffer with really bad anxiety/panic attacks and my mom it the only one that is able to bring me out of them. Had one just the other day while in Wal-Mart . You see so many inside that are meeting up with others. If I don't need to go in I will wait in the car and just let my mom go. What is really frustrating is the amount of people that won't follow the house hold only rule, several of our neighbor's have had multiple people over since it went into affect, I know of one that was reported to the tip line and nothing was ever done.  
Also a huge thank you that are working tirelessly in the hospitals, homecare, grocery store and everyone in general that is involved in keeping everyone safe. Its very much appreciated!!

I get that not everyone likes to online shop for whatever their reason or even has the ability to do so....but for anyone that is able too, I don’t understand why they wouldn’t do so during a pandemic?  
 
Click and collect grocery pickups are AMAZING! If you haven’t tried yet, consider it! Lots of other stores are doing curbside still too.

I hear you! I did my grocery shopping at midnight!

Excuse after excuse even in this thread.  
 
I have panic attacks (your mom won’t be around forever. Then what?)  
 
I couldn’t be alone for 24 hours.  
 
Blah blah.  
 
Everyone has an excuse. The fact of the matter is, nobody needs to enter a store period. Every single store has made it easy to order online and pick up curbside . Or click and collect.  
 
Quit making excuses and just admit you think you’re above the restrictions

The two cited examples are in fact legitimate reasons. One is mental health (now may not be the best time to change up coping strategies) and one is following medical advice (as a fellow severe allergy sufferer, the 24 rule is common and crucial). There are going to be exceptions, there always are.  
 
The larger issue is that too many people who do not have legitimate reasons are not following the rules. It's basically wrecking it for those who are the exceptions. I know lots of people that I know for a fact do not have exceptional status but are circumventing the rules.  
 
Also, keep in mind that for things like click amd collect, you require a credit card. Not everyone has one, nor can everyone get one. Prepaid cards don't always work, and because of fees they are not necessarily an affordable option.

I need a clapping hands emoji !  
 
Edited by covidsux, 2021-06-01 01:14:50

only statement I am addressing..  
 
what assumptions you are making that they were just in there for something to do!  
 
They may have dropped off a prescription and instead of wandering around the store as you could do before they left and will come back.  
 
Perhaps the shopper went in for a sales item and it was sold out so they quickly went out again.  
 
Perhaps they bought something small that can fit in their pockets or in their purse rather than buy a bag.  
 
Perhaps they went in and returned something and then went out again.  
 
Perhaps they went in to pay their Walmart master card invoice.  
 
Get off your high horse and stop trying to judge people who leave a store not carrying a bag.  
 
Oh another reason why they don't have a bag, maybe they bought a hat and put it on their head!

I am aware of why some can not do click and collect...that’s why I said for those who are able too  
 
There are many people still going into stores when they could be doing curbside, click and collect etc. There are still a lot of people who aren’t staying home as much as they could be and use shopping as their way to get out of the house. While I understand wanting to get out of the house, I don’t understand why some are doing it during a pandemic. Most of the reasons I’ve heard are just justifications and excuses for behaviour. People don’t like to be inconvenienced or told what to do

If you think people shouldn't be allowed to shop in a store, take it up with the provincial government.  
 
Some of you have consistently used ebrandon to express your frustration that people are doing things that they are legally allowed to do.  
 
There is no public health order that says you have to stay home. There is no public health order that says you cannot go shopping. I know officials have consistently said things like "stay home as much as possible", but saying it isn't the same as making it part of a public health order - which they have not done. Therefore, nobody is required to stay home as much as possible. Is staying home as much as possible good advice? Sure, probably. But advice isn't mandatory and it's not enforceable.  
 
Nobody has to justify why they are going shopping, why they don't have bags coming out of a store, or why they didn't use an online option. None of that is in the public health orders.  
 
If you don't like the public health orders, take it up with the people responsible for creating them. Stop criticizing people who aren't doing what YOU personally think they should be doing. That's not how society works.  
 
This thread was created to discuss the 1 per household rule which is actually in the order - but there are exceptions to that rule, as others have already stated. Don't think there should be exceptions? Again - not your call, but feel free to take it up with your elected official.

first I have no mobile/cell 'phone to let them know I have arrived to collect my order.  
Second, I tend to pick food for meals on the basis of what is available and looking fresh, sadly that basically excludes most fruit and a lot of vegetables.  
Thirdly, I do not trust shop employees to pick the best of the bunch or the most long dated or even those items on special.  
Finally, If an item is not available, then a lot of the other things will not be needed, so the order becomes useless.  
As an example, I needed some creme fraiche for a salmon recipe, not only did the store not have any but the staff had not even heard of the product, I could not get any butter beans either and frequently other things are not available.  
So no, I will shop in person for my groceries for as long as I am able to get to the shops. I always wear a mask and sanitize my hands and the cart handle, distance properly and tell staff they are naughty for not following direction arrows on the floors.

You’re right, it’s not mandatory. However, it’s highly encouraged. Society should be working together to stop spread but unfortunately, that will never happen. I’d even go as far as to say that staying home as much as possible, during a pandemic, is just common sense and shouldn’t need an official rule.  
 
I have 2 family members in the hospital with covid and one is in the ICU. It changes your perspective when you see how badly it can affect a persons health  
 
I get it, sometimes we do have to go into a store...but it should be a rare outing and not the norm right now. Imo of course

If they bought something that can fit in their bags, it's probably not a essential to maintaining life like food! Yes it might be a pres:cription but I doubt everyone walking out without a bag is getting pres:criptions filled, especially after pharmacy hours!  
 
You can pay your bills via internet, mail, at the bank, etc - again not a valid excuse to break the rules.  
 
If you consider a hat an essential item to life I feel bad for you because I have survived quite well without one for years. Should essential workers be putting their lives at risk because you need a hat? Apparently you think so.  
 
People have 90 days to return things - it is possible to wait until restrictions are over? Also, essentials like food can't actually be returned so you must be shopping for non-essentials, go figure!  
 
I'm not on a high horse I'm just one of those people who is sick of people not listening and making up stupid reasons to ignore them.

"What is also disturbing was watching a group of seven people enter, multiple groups of 2+ people walking in together and the person watching the door paid no attention whatsoever. "  
 
Interesting that you would think the person at the door didn't do anything whatsoever, I know for a fact that every person that queues up in that line with another person who either doesn't look like they need assistance or they're with a minor is told that There is a one member per household limit and enforcement officers can fine those who aren't in compliance if they're found in the store.  
 
The assumption that the workers outside aren't doing anything is straight up insulting, they're constantly yelled at, sworn at, a couple have been threatened because they're talking to these people who aren't in compliance. They aren't paid well enough to put up with the things the general public have been throwing at them and they certainly aren't paid to hand out tickets.  
 
If you don't like what you see, contact your MLA and tell them to start actually sending compliance officers out to actually ticket people, because staff at all stores are tired of being treated like garbage for minimum wage by people who don't want to follow the rules.

I have left a grocery store without a purchase...... I have bought stuff and stuck it in my "murse"  
I just shop, try to stay away from other people and mind my own business.  
If someone gets too close to me I turn away so I'm not facing them.

There is many reasons why 2 or more people shop together. Please stop judging people, it is getting you nowhere, but I know it does feel good to vent. I am going to put something in perspective. We live in the prairie mountain health region and it is a large region. So, many people from outside of brandon shop in many stores and I would like to thank them for shopping in brandon. Not all people have cars to travel and maybe they are doing the car pooling thing and their is multiple families shopping.  
Just to get back to the prairie mountain region. The southern health region is in TROUBLE. Why. People are walking into stores with no masks,multiple members of the family shopping, ,not social distancing and to top it all off being rude because the government cannot tell me what to do. Boundary trails health centre has many cases where people have entered the facility, WITH NO MASK and still the staff have to help them because they are obligated to provide service. Vaccination rate lowest in the province because of belief and values. My info is not false. So, if you see something wrong, remember that we are very lucky to live in a region where most places and businesses follow the restrictions. In the southern health region, people do what they want and store staff are afraid to refuse service and tell people not to enter. This is an everyday occurrence. We all should what is going on, if people do not follow the rules, then it is on them, not you. Just do what you do and life will carry on.

People are coming up with all manner of excuses to get around the lawful medical order. From shopping with a co-worker (whom both work at a local family business that I will never patronize again. EVER.), to health issues that may or may not be applicable (how are store employees supposed to know? They must give the benefit of the doubt!).  
Then there are those that just blow right past the employee despite the warnings. Yes, that does happen.  
 
I fear that the only way to bring accountability to these idiots will be either going entirely curbside or checking ID and taking names in a log in the same way restaurants were forced to do. I'm not saying that it will stop the abuse, but at least it leaves an auditable trail that can (and SHOULD!) be inspected at random.  
Your wife is legally blind and needs the assistance, alright. You just feel like going out and doing something with the spouse or roomie? Save that excuse for the official writing out the fines.  
 
Indeed, unlikely. But if that were to occur, it would be our own fault. Considering that the province's caseload has recently gotten on the radar of news organizations as far away as New York City, I don't know how else to illustrate that the situation is dire.  
 
Edited by Simonwalcal, 2021-06-01 12:54:32

It's really bizarre, picked up my pres:criptions at Superstore yesterday, and there were groups everywhere. Even unmasked folks standing around the checkouts.  
 
Stood in line for a while, and people would just walk together to the line, stand a couple feet apart, and rejoin once through the door.  
 
Canadian tire there was a group of five hollering and making a scene in the auto isle. No discrediting the employees, it shouldn't have to be up to them to enforce this, but there should be no tolerance for this nonsense. Collective selfish childishness like this has killed thousands.

I made an online order but accidentally left m cell phone at home... the person in the next car over was more that happy to call in for me (thanks again) and I would would do it for someone else.  
 
I didn't get all my items on my list but all the vegetables and fruit were good and the dairy had good dates. During times like this I am more than happy to do my part by ordering online and I am doing for more than for myself (within my household). And it saves me from standing for another 20-30 min when I put in a full 8 hours of work on my feet

I am sorry.. but there are examples of what the pallister gov annouced today with winnipeg jets game. The public health orders are against gatherings.... yet 500 people can attend the Jets games.  
 
IMO they might as well lift all health orders now. This will not be a good example for southern health.

Instead of complaining about what is bad, let's look at what is good:  
 
- These rules have stopped people from lingering out just outside of stores and businesses. Especially smokers.  
- The poor spelling civilian parking lot parking enforcers who leave notes on vehicles for parking over lines have slowed down. They must now be distracted with people entering stores  
- People are more patient.  
- Shoppers are more direct than in the past. They most likely know what they want, get those items and then leave.  
- Curbside pickup saves time. Hopefully these options for Walmart, CT, and Superstore stick around for a long time.

actually you didn't mention anything about essential or non-essential you just said they didn't have a bag  
 
so people coming out with a cart full of stuff only bought essential items???  
 
as to the hat I was joking but now there is a heat wave it is a really essential item to avoid heat stroke and sun burn.  
 
there are many items that can fit in a purse especially mine. I don't use a bag unless I have to. And many times put items right into my purse including other drugstore things like pain killers, vitamins, etc. And before you say vitamins aren't essential my hubby has cancer and has to take them.  
 
sure some things you have 90 days to return but not all. And by the way how do you tell if someone returned something early or on the 89th day by their face? You must be a mind reader.  
 
stop judging people unless you are walking in their shoes: they are by the way only one person as is allowed.  
 
you just get angry because they have no bag.....  
 
perhaps stay home next time instead of waiting in the car.  
 
my hubby and I didn't wait for a public health order to say shop alone. We have done it almost right from the start to reduce our contacts. And we only drive in by ourselves the other one stays home.  
 
I agree that many people are trying to get around the 1 per household rule like one person standing alone and the other one standing in another spot alone then meeting up later in the store.  
 
you are still on your high horse when you judge people just because they don't have a bag when they come out of the store. very sad you have nothing better to do.