Prime Minister François Legault announces that adults who, over the next few weeks, will not have received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, will “have to pay a new health contribution” – “a significant amount”.
He made the announcement during a press briefing Tuesday the day after the resignation of the national director of public health, Horacio Arruda. Mr. Legault praised the work done by Horacio Arruda – a “very endearing” man, he said – at the head of the National Directorate of Public Health since the appearance of COVID-19 two years ago .
“He has given everything he could for 22 months,” he said during a press briefing in Montreal. “On behalf of all Quebecers, I want to say a huge thank you to Dr. Arruda for everything he has done for 22 months to protect Quebecers,” he added.
Faced with a “certain erosion of the support of the population” to the measures adopted to curb the outbreak of cases – and hospitalizations – of COVID-19, Mr. Arruda gave Monday the “possibility” to the head of government Quebecers to “replace” it.
Mr. Legault asked the President and CEO of the National Institute of Excellence in Health and Social Services (INESSS), Luc Boileau, to succeed Dr. Arruda “on an interim basis”. “He has all the skills to fill this position,” argued the Prime Minister.
Further details will follow.
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