Public Health is once again reviewing its screening and isolation requirements in the general population. Take a look at these new recommendations.
Quebec first revises the period of isolation imposed on the general population. In doing so, Public Health adheres to the recommendation of the CDC, in the United States, and several Canadian provinces.
- The isolation period for people who test positive for COVID-19 is reduced from ten days to five days. This directive applies to Quebecers with double doses and to young people under the age of twelve.
- The return to work after isolation must be done with a mask at all times.
- In the event of prolonged symptoms, the original isolation period of ten days should be observed.
- Household contacts of an individual who tested positive must undergo the same period of quarantine. So-called “moderate” contacts – more than 15 minutes without a mask – need only watch their symptoms for ten days.
- The isolation period for infected healthcare workers remains the same: seven days. As for the early childhood workers, Public Health apologizes for the “imbroglio” of the last few days. An official announcement will follow, assures Marie-France Raynault, Senior Strategic Medical Advisor of the Public Health Directorate of the Quebec Ministry of Health and Social Services.
The provisions for screening are also changing.
- Symptomatic people from the general population will no longer be able to be tested by PCR in a screening center. They will have to turn to a rapid test.
- If it is not possible to turn to a rapid test, a symptomatic person should take responsibility for their infection and isolate themselves.
- Quebec says it is working on setting up a self-reporting site for cases. Public Health was already talking about it before the Holidays.
- The PCR tests will go to people from the health sector, family caregivers, people living in remote regions and in Indigenous communities, people experiencing homelessness and people in prison.
- Health authorities believe they can cut traffic to screening tests by “half”.
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