“At war with the virus” | Quebec orders new closures

Increase in cases and hospitalizations, vaccination “insufficient” to counter the outbreak, absenteeism in the health network: grappling with a “critical” epidemiological situation and “dazzling” community transmission, Quebec ordered a series of new restrictions. Classes will be suspended at primary and secondary schools on Tuesday, while bars, gyms, casinos, cinemas and theaters will have to close their doors.

Henri Ouellette-Vézina
The press

“We are 8 million in Quebec. And we are at war. It is war on the virus right now. The epidemiological situation is critical. […] Community transmission is dazzling, ”declared the Minister of Health and Social Services, Christian Dubé, during a press scrum held virtually on Monday afternoon.

He recalled that the 4,571 cases identified on Monday are the highest number of cases ever announced. “And unfortunately, it’s not improving. Hospitalizations are on the rise, intensive care too. Just yesterday, 49 people entered our hospitals, ”he said sorry.

Elementary and secondary schools will therefore close their doors from Monday evening at 5 p.m. until January 10. The same will apply to vocational training centers. All extracurricular activities are also canceled to reduce the risk of transmission. Daycare services in elementary schools will remain open, in particular to help out health personnel, as will childcare centers. Facilities where vaccination campaigns and the distribution of rapid tests were planned should also remain open. Higher education settings, such as CEGEPs and universities, may remain open if students have exams or internships.

En outre, les écoles qui devaient ouvrir avant le 10 janvier prochain seront tenues d’offrir l’enseignement à distance après les Fêtes. Les enseignants concernés ne disposaient lundi que de quelques heures pour se préparer à cet enseignement en ligne et s’assurer que tous les élèves auront le nécessaire.

Quant aux rassemblements de Noël, ils demeurent pour l’instant à un maximum de 10 personnes, mais un nouveau changement n’est pas exclu.

New projections of hospitalizations should indeed be presented to the Legault government on Monday evening, and could be made public soon. These models should be decisive for the future. “They probably won’t be encouraging, given how hard the variant will hit,” Dubé said. “We see it: the booster dose vaccination, on its own, even if it offers additional protection, will not be sufficient in the short term”, he added, affirming that the restrictions were inevitable “with the rise in cases, hospitalizations, then given the absenteeism of our health workers and because the surge in cases is incredible ”.

The person in charge of vaccination, Daniel Paré, said he wanted to “increase [la] third dose capacity ”, however closing the door to a further expansion of the campaign for the time being. “We also need to protect our healthcare workers,” explained the national director of public health, Dr.^r Horacio Arruda, calling for vigilance with regard to comparisons with other provinces, in terms of the third dose. “Our goal is very much to protect our most vulnerable,” he added.

As of December 20, more than 300,000 people had made an appointment on Clic Santé, an absolute record for the platform, of which approximately 200,000 were 65 years and over. This category can make an appointment since Monday, in addition to childcare educators, first responders and family caregivers.

Closed bars, teleworking compulsory

From Monday 5 pm there will also be a “complete closure of bars, taverns and casinos”. Quebec qualifies in passing as “irresponsible” the ” parties of the last chance ”organized in the last days in some establishments.

Cinemas and theaters must also close. Restaurants will only be able to open their doors between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. “Teleworking is now compulsory”, also confirmed Mr. Dubé, indicating that sports performances – at the amateur or professional level – will also have to be held behind closed doors. Gyms will also have to close, as will spas, “with the exception of personal care”.

All public events and indoor activities will be suspended, while special indoor venues, such as arcades, amusement parks, amusement and recreation centers, water parks or bowling alleys, must also close.

A brief summary of the new measures

The Minister of Health and Social Services, Christian Dubé, announced on Monday a series of new restrictions in the face of the sharp rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in Quebec. To better navigate, here is a summary.

1. Elementary and secondary schools closed their doors Monday evening at 5 pm until January 10th. Schools that reopen before this date will have to offer virtual education.

2. All extracurricular activities are canceled.

3. Daycare services in primary schools and childcare centers remain open, as well as establishments where vaccination campaigns and the distribution of rapid tests are planned.

4. CEGEPs and universities can also remain open if students have exams or internships.

5. Bars, taverns and casinos also closed their doors on Monday at 5 pm. Ditto for cinemas and theaters, gyms and spas, with the exception of personal care.

6. Restaurant dining rooms can only be opened between 5 am and 10 pm. Delivery and car service are still possible outside of these hours.

7. Teleworking is now compulsory in Quebec.

8. Sports performances – at amateur or professional level – must be held behind closed doors. The Montreal Canadiens will therefore not be able to receive spectators under any circumstances.

9. Food concessions must close their doors.

With Marie-Ève ​​Morasse, The press