In order to prepare for the arrival of the Omicron variant, which is much more contagious, Quebec is now asking employers to restore 100% teleworking. More vaccinators are needed in order to speed up the administration of the third doses. And rapid tests will be quickly distributed to the entire population in 1,900 pharmacies across Quebec.
In December alone, 10 million of these rapid tests will be distributed in Quebec.
In addition, wearing a mask in the common areas of private seniors’ residences is once again mandatory.
At a press conference on Tuesday, the Minister of Health, Christian Dubé, mentioned that the number of COVID-19 cases are on the rise in Quebec, as are hospitalizations. Currently, 30% of dedicated COVID-19 beds in hospitals are occupied. But the arrival of the Omicron variant could be a game-changer, says Minister Dubé.
This is why certain measures are now being tightened. Analyzes will be carried out in the coming days to determine precisely how much of the Omicron variant is present.
For his part, the national director of public health, Dr Horacio Arruda, said he was always in favor of gatherings of 20 people at Christmas, but he advises against inviting the unvaccinated.