Everything indicates that the obligation to wear the mask in public indoor spaces will be extended beyond April 15.
Calling himself “in dangerous shape” on his first outing after ten days of isolation after contracting COVID himself, the Prime Minister, François Legault, said the matter would be discussed Monday evening with public health authorities. .
The pandemic situation, he said, requires reflection. “It is certain that we are currently seeing an increase in cases and hospitalizations. We have exceeded 1,400 hospitalizations, but we are still very far from the 3,400 that we experienced in January. »
An easy to apply and effective measure
“For the moment, there is no question of adding instructions, he first clarified. As for the mask, it’s one of the things we’re going to look at. Do we extend the wearing of the mask by a few weeks? I think it is a measure which is relatively easy to apply and which is effective in preventing infections. »
Mr. Legault affirmed that his government will follow the recommendations of public health and that this recommendation will be made public this Tuesday during the press conference of the national director of public health, doctor Luc Boileau.
However, Mr. Legault also did not want to go so far as to definitively rule out the return of other health measures, while repeating that “there are none currently planned”. However, he was careful not to project himself too far into the future, as the virus has proven to be extremely unpredictable over time.
“Where will we be in a month, in six months, in 12 months with a potential seventh, eighth wave? It’s difficult for me. Even specialists have a hard time deciding. What we do know is that in the foreseeable future, especially because of the very high level of vaccination – Quebec is one of the places in the world where the population is the most vaccinated – it helps. »
Recalling that he himself had just lived with the disease a week ago, he argued that “even if you catch it, it almost gives you a cold. That’s what’s important, it’s to tell yourself that in the foreseeable future we’re going to live with the virus, we’re going to have to learn to live with the virus. »