It will no longer be necessary to wear a face covering in restaurants, in theaters, in bars, in places of worship, in sports centers, in training rooms, but also in schools, in early childhood centers as well as in school transport.
All the indicators monitored by the health authorities being on the decline (deaths, infections, hospitalizations, positivity rate, absenteeism in the health network and schools), the acting national director of public health, Dr. Luc Boileau, confirmed on Wednesday that the sixth wave of COVID-19 was indeed coming to an end in Quebec.
« I think we have to trust Quebecers as we have done since the start of this pandemic. Public health has been very clear, we are there. »
Not the end of the mask, however
Public health nevertheless continues to recommend wearing a mask to protect against COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses.
At a press conference on Friday, Christian Dubé reiterated that the lifting of this latest health restriction does not mean the abolition of wearing a mask as a protective measure. And even less that the pandemic is over.
This is why the measure will remain mandatory until further notice in public transport as well as in all health establishments, including medical clinics, RPA and the CHSLD.
Also, all people who wish to continue wearing a face covering to protect themselves and others are invited to do so, starting with the elderly, sick, immunosuppressed or whose state of health exposes them more to complications. medical.
Wearing a mask could also be maintained by some employers for health and safety reasons in factories or businesses where personal services are offered, such as hair salons or beauty clinics, for example.
« I think it’s very, very good news that we are able to take this step. On the other hand, we want to do it with respect for personal choices. »
In this regard, the Association of Immunodeficient Patients of Quebec (APIQ), recalled that people who suffer from immune problems must continue to wear the mask and take the necessary precautions. to avoid the risk of serious or even fatal consequences on their health
.
This is why the association asks the population to be accommodating to these people
.
« The heavy burden on millions of Quebecers who have had to adopt regular mask wearing for two years remains a daily struggle for immunosuppressed and immunodeficient Quebecers. »
Immunodeficient people are also called upon to wear “ l’Immunoclip on their mask – an indicator emblazoned with a i
red that attaches to the mask – to indicate to people their fragile health condition.
Immunocompromised people are encouraged to wear the “Immunoclip” to let people know of their particular health condition.
Photo: Radio-Canada/Pierre-Alexandre Bolduc
665 days later
Casually, Quebecers have been required to wear face coverings in public indoors for almost 22 months.
The executive order, with fines ranging from $400 to $6,000 for violators, had gone into effect July 18, 2020on the orders of the Legault government, which was then under significant media and political pressure.
The compulsory wearing of the mask had been maintained since then in Quebec, despite its abandonment in the majority of the provinces of the country in recent months.
The announcement of its lifting was eagerly awaited in Quebec, especially since it had been postponed twice due to the high number of hospitalizations and cases of infection in the population at the end of winter. It was first to come into force April 5before being postponed by the authorities to 21 avril and finally to May 14.
This time seems to be the right one.
However, we do not yet know whether, in the event of a seventh wave of COVID-19 in the fall, the government will again opt for the compulsory wearing of a face covering.
If for his part Dr. Boileau affirmed on Wednesday that he would do everything possible to avoid returning to such a measure, Minister Dubé stressed on Friday that the mask remains despite everything an effective measure which would make it possible to stem a new outbreak.
I think we are elsewhere in terms of protection. The variants have changed, our knowledge of all the factors that contribute to contamination means that if it were necessary to recommend it, I think it would be the right thing to do. But we’re not here right now, so let’s enjoy the summer
suggested Mr. Dubé.