Face masks mandatory on public transit throughout Quebec as of today

Jul 13 2020, 1:21 pm

All Quebecers using public transit must wear a face mask as of today.

Last month, the National Director of Public Health, Dr. Horacio Arruda, and Montreal’s Public Health Director, Mylene Drouin, made the announcement alongside Premier François Legault.

There will be a two-week grace period to allow Quebecers to get accustomed to the new rule. By July 27, transit users over the age of 12 who don’t wear a mask will not be permitted to use the services.

In June, Legault said it’s “relatively easy to catch COVID-19 from another person who isn’t close,” in regards to public transit.

The premier said Quebecers have been following public health instructions “the most” but the gradual deconfinement has resulted in more people using public transit throughout the province.

“If we don’t want to see a contagion restart or return to lockdown in this new phase, we need to make masks mandatory on public transit,” he said in French on June 30 from Montreal.

Children between the ages of two and 12 are not required to wear masks, even though public health advises it. Legault says it is unsafe for toddlers under the age of two to wear them, however.

“Let’s be clear,” he concluded, “wearing masks is not about fear but respect. It protects other people. When we wear a mask, we’re not a scaredy-cat, we’re being cautious.”

DH Montreal StaffDH Montreal Staff

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