On the eve of Christmas Eve, the Quebec Ministry of Health and Social Services on Thursday prohibited CHSLD residents from leaving their living environment to take part in a private gathering or join relatives for a “temporary leave”.
The new directive, issued in the wake of the rise of the Omicron variant in Quebec, however provides that “outings” outside CHSLDs could be allowed to residents in certain “exceptional” situations. They must, however, comply with preventive isolation measures when they return to their living environment.
Visitors, for their part, must present their vaccination passport at the entrance of these establishments, which therefore remain accessible to family caregivers and outside visitors who have been adequately vaccinated. In private seniors’ residences (RPA), between December 23 and 25, “two people at a time can visit a loved one, for a maximum of four per day”, indicates the directive. “From December 26, this number will drop to two per day,” she adds.
Residents of RPAs, however, retain the right to take part in gatherings outside the walls of their residence.
This announcement comes in the wake of the meteoric rise of the Omicron variant, which has boosted new COVID-19 infections in the past few days in the province, forcing the Legault government to tighten health rules. In particular, bars, cinemas and theaters have closed. In the general population, however, indoor gatherings of a maximum of 10 people will be permitted on Christmas. This number will then be lowered to six people – or members of two family bubbles – as of December 26.
The latest COVID-19 report in Quebec, released Thursday, reports 9,397 new cases and 28 new hospitalizations related to the disease identified in 24 hours.
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