The noose is tightening on the unvaccinated, who will no longer have access to SAQ and SQDC branches as of January 18. Quebec will also soon impose the vaccine passport on other non-essential businesses such as hairdressing salons.
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“If they don’t want to be vaccinated, let them stay at home!” »Launched Thursday the Minister of Health, Christian Dubé.
The “Omicron tidal wave” is sweeping over Quebec, which is heading for a record of more than 3,000 hospitalizations, including more than 400 in intensive care, according to the most recent projections.
A situation which forces the Legault government to impose new restrictions on people who have not been vaccinated once morest COVID-19 and who now represent more than half of hospitalizations in intensive care.
- Listen to the Foisy-Dutrizac meeting with Philippe-Vincent Foisy and Benoit Dutrizac on QUB Radio:
As of January 18, customers must present their proof of vaccination at the entrance to the SAQ and SQDC. Wine and cannabis enthusiasts who haven’t rolled up their sleeves will have to settle for buying online.
“This is just the beginning,” warned Minister Dubé. The vaccination passport will eventually apply to other non-essential businesses, such as those offering bodily services.
“We are discussing with the industry so that all non-essential services are impacted by this measure,” he added. He thus hopes to convince the recalcitrant to be inoculated. Grocery stores and pharmacies will not be affected.
Dubé does not imitate Macron
Across the ocean, French President Emmanuel Macron caused an uproar by saying he wanted to “piss off” the unvaccinated by limiting their access to certain pleasures in life, such as restaurants and museums. Christian Dubé was careful not to fall into the trap.
“I understand that we might be tempted to say that it would be nice to piss them off, […], but I think that the first objective is to limit contact and the second is to protect them once morest themselves, ”he said, cautiously.
- Listen to the column of political analyst Marc-André Leclerc on QUB radio
Three doses for the vaccination passport
The solution to protect the health system is vaccination. This is why Christian Dubé has also announced his intention to expand the vaccine passport to three doses.
But this new measure will not come into effect tomorrow morning, since Quebecers must be given time to receive their booster dose, which might take several weeks.
As of Friday, Quebecers aged 45 and over can make an appointment for their third injection. But those who are 18 will not be able to do so before January 17.
This is without counting the people who contract the disease before their appointment and will have to wait eight weeks before they can receive their booster dose.
“We will not impose the third dose in the passport [vaccinal] as long as everyone has not had time to be vaccinated ”, assured the Minister.
Quebec is accelerating appointment for the booster dose
People already eligible for the 3e dose
- CHSLD and RPA users
- Health workers
- Public security personnel
- Teachers and school staff
- Inspectors in the fields of agriculture, fisheries and food
- Slaughterhouse staff
- CNESST health and safety inspectors
- Courthouse staff who cannot telework as well as members of the judiciary
- Residents of isolated or remote communities
- People on dialysis, with a weakened immune system or living with a chronic disease
- Pregnant women of all ages
- Caregivers
- All citizens aged 50 and over
Future
- Friday: 45 and over
- January 10: 40 and over
- January 12: 35 and over
- January 14: 25 and over
- January 17: 18 and over
