COVID Update – New measures to combat COVID-19 will be coming into effect Monday, as Quebecers prepare for the holidays and cases soar across the province.
Premier François Legault announced the new measures Thursday evening at a news conference.
“In this fight that we are waging, it’s not enough to just get vaccinated,” Legault said.
- Quebec reported 3,768 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday and seven new deaths.
- Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 478,246 confirmed cases and 11,634 people have died.
- There are 312 people in hospital (an increase of seven), including 62 in intensive care (a decrease of 1).
- The province has administered 14,194,764 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, including 56,097 in the last 24 hours.
- 88 per cent of the eligible population in the province (ages five and up) has received one dose of vaccine, and 81 per cent has received two doses.
Quebec’s new measures
Legault said the government does not want to close schools, so primary schools will reopen after the New Year at the regular date. High schools will use remote learning until Jan. 10.
Masks will be again required in primary and high school classrooms and buses.
Private gatherings will be reduced to 10 people inside, 20 outside and it is recommended that people use rapid testing kits before gathering.
Officials said that doesn’t mean people should attend 10 parties with 10 people, but instead limit the number of gatherings they attend.
- Stores will have reduced capacity, allowing one client per 20 square metres.
- Places of worship will reduce capacity by 50 per cent, with a cap of 250 people. Vaccine passports will be required and people must be seated.
- Funerals and weddings can have up to 25 people without requiring vaccine passports, but up to 250 people with passports.
- For public activities, capacity is lowered by 50 per cent to a maximum of 250 people. People must stay seated and wear a mask at all times.
- Bars and restaurants must cut capacity by 50 per cent, spacing tables as much as possible, with a maximum of 10 people at tables. Dancing and karaoke are banned once again.
- Cinemas and theatres will also have capacity reduced by 50 per cent.
- All tournaments and competitions suspended as of Monday, with reduced capacity of gyms and other indoor training facilities.
“If everyone does their part, we can get through this together,” Legault said.
Other articles from mtltimes.ca – totimes.ca – otttimes.ca
Latest data sees rise in separation anxiety as Canadian pet owners start to return to office
