Quebec announces the gradual withdrawal of the vaccine passport, until its complete elimination in all places and activities by March 14.
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As of this Wednesday, citizens no longer have to present the vaccine passport to enter big-box stores, SAQs and SQDCs.
After another stage in places of worship, it will disappear in a month.
Quebec is thus following the movement initiated by the other provinces. Already in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, there is no longer a vaccination passport. Ontario announced its withdrawal for the 1is mars.
This is a recommendation from Public Health, assures Minister Christian Dubé.
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“As the context of the pandemic has evolved favourably, we must start preparing to learn to live with the virus. For the moment, we have room for maneuver which allows us to consider a return to a more normal life, ”said the Minister of Health.
“We are withdrawing the use of the vaccine passport in a cautious and gradual manner. »
The withdrawal includes CHSLDs and RPAs. This latest step is consistent with major deliveries from Paxlovid, the minister said. Pfizer’s antiviral is effective in curing vulnerable people.
The number of cases tends to decrease
The Director of Public Health, Dr.r Luc Boileau, confirmed that “the epidemiological situation is going in the right direction” and that “several indicators are converging towards a drop” in cases of COVID-19 in Quebec.
He argues that the vaccine passport was very useful in dealing with the Delta variant and in protecting unvaccinated people during the Omicron wave.
Although Quebec does not currently intend to lift the obligation to wear a mask by March 14, stages of its gradual withdrawal by then are possible, indicated the Dr Luc Boileau.
“If the trend continues to go in the direction we see, well, we can recommend certain adjustments to the government at that time. »
Photo d’archives, Toma Iczkovits
The vaccine passport is no longer required to enter SAQ (photo), SQDC and supermarkets. Health Minister Christian Dubé said Tuesday that the passport has convinced nearly 600,000 people to get vaccinated.
Careful, said the Dr Boileau
The Dr Boileau stresses that Quebecers must remain cautious, because there is still a possibility of experiencing an increase in hospitalizations.
He confirms that Omicron’s little brother, the BA.2 variant, is installed in Quebec. This is approximately 10% to 15% of cases in Montreal, estimates Public Health. The latter would be more contagious, but not more dangerous.
“We don’t know what awaits us. There might be something else,” he said.
The passport might come back
The Minister of Health also indicated that he was not closing the door to a return of the passport if necessary.
“So keep it on your phone,” advised Christian Dubé. “Unfortunately, there may be a sixth wave. »
The National Institute of Public Health is also studying, at this very moment, a plan for the administration of a fourth dose.
The injection of a fourth dose of vaccine once morest COVID-19 in people aged 18 and over has been implemented in several countries, such as Israel.
“The question will be very thoroughly studied. But for now, there is no recommendation to go to a fourth dose, even in people who are […] more vulnerable or older,” said Dr.r Boileau.
The stages of passport collection
From Wednesday: big-box stores, SAQs and SQDCs
the 21st of February : places of worship
14 mars : all places and activities except international travel