Coronavirus: Everything you need to know in Montreal today

Every day in Canada, a lot of news regarding COVID-19 comes out nationally and locally.

And for now, we will be putting together Montreal and Canada’s top headlines daily to help digest the news in one place.

Throughout the day, you can see all the headlines in real-time here.

Top coronavirus stories for May 20, as of 5 pm ET:

Quebec confirms 71 more coronavirus deaths as cases eclipse 44,700

The Quebec government revealed that the province’s coronavirus-related death toll has reached 3,718, after announcing 71 more deaths since Tuesday afternoon.

As part of the province’s daily briefings, Deputy Premier Geneviève Guilbault updated the provincial numbers, confirming 44,775 known cases and 1,516 hospitalizations, 108 of whom are in the ICU.

Currently, a reported 307,437 tests have turned up negative throughout Quebec and 12,822 cases have been cured.

Quebec eases restrictions on physical gatherings outside

Geneviève Guilbault announced on Wednesday that public health has given the Province the “green light” to ease gathering restrictions throughout Quebec.

As of Friday, May 22, the Province will ease restrictions of outdoor gatherings and will allow a maximum of ten people to gather.

Of the 10 person maximum, groups will only be allowed to convene from a maximum of three different households or addresses.

International air travel may not return to normal until 2023: report

Air travel may not recover as quickly as we would like, according to recent analysis shared by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which outlines that the damage incurred by the COVID-19 global pandemic may extend to 2023. Long-haul travel in particular is likely to be the most significantly impacted.

In a report published by IATA, the organization anticipates that the recovery of the travel industry will be led by domestic endeavours to begin with, with passenger numbers not climbing back to their normal state until at least 2023.

Non-medical face masks recommended by Canada health officials

Health officials in Canada are recommending the use of non-medical face masks or coverings as an “added layer of protection” during the coronavirus pandemic.

Canada Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam made the announcement in a press conference Wednesday while providing an update on the pandemic in Canada.

“Where COVID-19 related activity is happening, the use of non-medical masks or face coverings is recommended, as an added layer of protection when physical distancing is difficult to maintain,” said Dr. Tam in the press conference.

Quebec reveals dates for reopening of beauty care and dentists

Quebec health minister Danielle McCann, along with Quebec’s Minister of Labour, Jean Boulet, and public health advisor, Dr. Richard Massé, announced that the body care industry and dentists can reopen on June 1.

“It’s a step that has been very expected,” said McCann in French during a press conference. “We have to, like the other reopenings, approach this with client and staff’s protection in mind.”

Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance applications open next week

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance applications open next week.

The Rent Assistance program was initially announced in April as a rent relief program to help businesses who are struggling to pay their landlords due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Wednesday, Trudeau said the applications open on May 25. He said the federal and provincial governments will help cover 50% of the rent. Tenants would pay 25%, and he said the landlords would take a 25% hit.

50% of small businesses can’t pay June rent without more government help: CFIB

Half of Canada’s small businesses aren’t able to pay June’s rent without further help from the government, according to a new survey by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB).

And more than half (55%) say rent relief could make the difference between their business surviving COVID-19 or having to shut down.

On April 24, Justin Trudeau announced the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA), a rent relief program to help businesses who are struggling to pay their landlords.