Everything opening in Quebec amid new COVID-19 restrictions

Feb 8 2021, 2:08 pm

Several regions across the province will be loosening COVID-19 restrictions as of February 8.

Last week, Quebec Premier François Legault announced that businesses, salons, libraries, and museums are slated to open everywhere across Quebec and university and CEGEP students will begin a “gradual” return to physical classes.

Legault said the COVID-19 situation has been “improving” over the past few weeks, which he said is “very encouraging.” The premier says public health sees a decrease in cases and hospitalizations “almost on a daily basis” and thanked Quebecers for their efforts.

“Today we are arriving at the conclusion that yes, we can do a small or slight loosening of the lockdown,” he said last Tuesday.

As part of the new measures, Legault announced that six of Quebec’s 16 regions will be downgraded from Level 4 — Maximum Alert (red zone) to Level 3 – Alert (orange zone) effective today.

The regions that have downgraded to orange zones are:

  • GaspĂ©sie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine
  • Bas-Saint-Laurent
  • CĂŽte-Nord
  • Abitibi-TĂ©miscamingue
  • Nord-du-QuĂ©bec
  • Saguenay – Lac-Saint-Jean

“The battle is not yet over,” Legault said in French. “But we are heading in the right direction. We still have a lot of efforts to make in order to help our nursing staff and healthcare staff. They have been on the frontline for 11 months.”

Quebec’s Director of Public Health, Dr. Horacio Arruda, says “a lot goes in to reducing red zones to orange,” mentioning active COVID-19 cases, hospital availability, and population size.

The following 10 regions will remain in red zones:

  • Montreal
  • Laval
  • Laurentides
  • LanaudiĂšre
  • MontĂ©rĂ©gie
  • Capitale-Nationale
  • ChaudiĂšre-Appalaches
  • Mauricie-et-Centre-du-QuĂ©bec
  • Estrie
  • Outaouais

Quebec.ca

Here’s what measures have been lifted in orange zones across Quebec:

Orange Zones:

Curfew:

  • Reduced from 9:30 pm to 5 am

Places of worship:

  • Open — all religious activities are limited to a maximum of 25 people

Restaurants:

  • Open — a maximum of two adults per table, who may be accompanied by their children under the age of 18
  • An attendance registry must be kept by the restaurant. Only customer with proof of residence in the same region as the restaurant are admitted. Reservations are mandatory (exception of fast food chains)

Museums:

  • Museums including museum institutes, biodomes, planetariums, insectariums, botanical gardens, aquariums, zoos and walkthroughs are allowed to reopen

Cinemas:

  • Open from February 26, in compliance with the measures in force; the wearing of a surgical mask is mandatory

Venues:

  • Venues with fixed and numbered seating may open from February 26, in compliance with the measures in force. The wearing of a surgical mask is mandatory

Libraries:

  • Open to everyone

Sports and recreation:

  • Outdoor activities permitted, limited to a group of 8 people (including lessons)Indoor activities permitted for one or two people or a family group (living at the same address)

Non-essential and personal care:

  • All businesses may re-open, including personal care services, with restricted capacityShopping malls may re-open with suitable supervision of public areas to prevent gatherings and loiteringElementary and secondary schools

Higher eduction:

  • Increased levels of in-person activities, with mandatory wearing of a surgical mask at all times

Private seniors’ residences:

  • Dining rooms open, in compliance with strict sanitary measures

Voici un résumé des nouvelles mesures: pic.twitter.com/ogFl2Gc5R4

— François Legault (@francoislegault) February 3, 2021

Legault said Quebecers need to remain diligent in their efforts against COVID-19 and says that measures “have to be loosened gradually to give ourselves the opportunity to win this pandemic.”

Ty JadahTy Jadah

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