A Portage la Prairie business is one of six establishments across Manitoba to be penalized for violating health orders as part of the province's ongoing COVID-19 enforcement efforts.

The Red Apple store located in Portage received one of the 48 tickets issued for the week of Jan. 4-10, and as a result, was handed a $5,000 fine.

This week's update indicates 249 warnings and 48 tickets were issued, including 33 $1,296 tickets given to individuals for various offences, eight tickets to individuals for failure to wear a mask in indoor public places, and six $5,000 tickets to businesses.

The province notes 22 of the 33 $1,296 tickets issued were concerning gatherings in private residences. Since enforcement efforts began in April, a total of 2,211 warnings and 720 tickets have been issued, resulting in more than $1M in fines to businesses and individuals.

In the press release, the government noted they are beefing up enforcement at outdoor recreational venues to ensure compliance with public health orders. Approximately 3,300 individuals are qualified to hand out tickets including RCMP, law enforcement agencies, provincial employees, and municipal partners.