Still weakened by the surge in cases of COVID-19 during the Festival d’été de Québec, the capital fears the impact of the gatherings during the visit of the pope. The region’s public health department is calling on citizens to “be extra careful” as transmission still remains “high”.
Posted at 9:40 a.m.
“Even when events take place outside, large and dense crowds can be a major vector of contagion,” explained Friday the medical assistant to the director of public health, the Dr Jacques Girard, in a statement.
To limit the transmission of the virus as much as possible, alcohol-based disinfectant solutions and procedural masks will also be distributed to the public at the transport shuttle boarding sites. “We strongly recommend that people use them, especially when they are unable to observe appropriate physical distancing,” added the D.r Girard.
He calls on all citizens who show symptoms of the disease to avoid attending the planned activities, by acting in a “responsible manner”.
“Only people who are asymptomatic, without contact with a case or who do not test positive should go to indoor and outdoor gathering sites. If you have symptoms, isolate yourself immediately, making sure you have access to rapid tests”, raised the expert, recalling that fever, loss of smell or taste, shortness of breath, difficulty in breathing or a sore throat can be considered a direct symptom of the disease.
Last week, the national director of public health, the Dr Luc Boileau, had recognized that a strong transmission was generated in the capital during the Festival d’été de Québec (FEQ). According to him, the situation calls for “great vigilance” for the summer season. He had also invited the population – especially the most vulnerable – to wear the mask in large gatherings, even outside.
According to the latest data available, screening in wastewater and PCR tests show that the spread is on the rise in the Quebec region. The coronavirus rate measured in the sewers of the capital has doubled over the past week. The trend is, however, stabilizing – even decreasing – in the other cities where measures have been taken, namely Montreal, Laval and Gatineau.
Two nights in Quebec
According to the schedule unveiled at the end of June by the Vatican, Pope Francis will spend two nights in Quebec. Activities will also take place on July 27 and 28 on the Plains of Abraham, with an address by the Pope from the Citadel on July 27. No ticket will be required to attend activities on the Plains.
On July 28, a mass will be held at the Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré basilica, a place of pilgrimage popular with several Aboriginal communities, to whom the pontiff must apologize for the crimes committed in the residential schools. On July 29, before flying to Iqaluit, the pope will also meet with indigenous delegations.
Up to 10,000 places will be available in front of the Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré basilica. Of this number, 7,000 are reserved for indigenous communities, 2,000 for the general public – those who were released on Monday – and 1,000 for delegations from dioceses coming mainly from eastern Canada.
Inside the building, 1,400 places will be reserved for official delegations and indigenous communities, by invitation only. About 5,000 people will also attend mass from the Domaine Sainte-Anne, a campsite located near the river, opposite the basilica.