Face masks are mandatory for everyone in Quebec while outside: Legault

During an afternoon press conference on Tuesday, Premier François Legault reminded citizens of Quebec that wearing face masks outdoors is mandatory.

Legault said there are “two exceptions to the rule,” if you are alone or with people you live with.

“If you are having a picnic outside with a maximum of eight people, who are seated two metres away, you don’t need to wear a face mask,” said Legault. He says a rise in hospitalizations and an uptick in provincial cases of the COVID-19 variant means all Quebecers should be wearing face masks outside.

He did not provide any additional details on potential fines for Quebecers who don’t wear face masks outside.

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Legault also said the government will be delaying the reopening of the Capitale-Nationale, Chaudière-Appalaches and in Outaouais until at least April 25, due to the presence of the coronavirus variants and an increase in cases. To that, he said non-essential businesses, the 8 pm curfew, and the closure of schools will remain in place across those three regions.

He said the government is “keeping a close eye” on Montreal and Laval and will keep the curfew at 8 pm in both areas, “for the time being.”

La situation est redevenue grave avec la hausse des cas et des hospitalisations, particulièrement dans la Capitale-Nationale, en Chaudière-Appalaches et en Outaouais. On doit donner un coup pour freiner la troisième vague.

🎥On fait le point en direct👉 https://t.co/fUn9AbQlMp

— François Legault (@francoislegault) April 13, 2021

Legault reiterated that it is more possible for young people to catch COVID-19 during the third wave compared to the first and second.

“There are young people who have dealt with very serious consequences after catching COVID-19,” he said in French. “Now, the portrait has changed in younger people. There a lot more young people who are hospitalized because of the variants. We have two big months ahead of us.”

Legault said he is grateful for how young people have handled the pandemic and said it is now the health of young people that is at risk. “Now, you have to be careful with your health. We have 73 days ahead of us before we are all vaccinated, so be prudent.”

Legault says that by June 24, all adults who want the vaccine in Quebec will be able to receive it.

“We have two heavy months ahead of us before a return to normalcy,” he concluded.