On Thursday Premier François Legault announced that the province would be re-imposing a nightly curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., as of Dec. 31, in an effort to help curb the spread of the prevalent COVID-19 Omicron variant.

Other restrictions include the closure of restaurants except for take-out and delivery, a ban on private gatherings in homes except for caregivers. Single people can join another . . .

family bubble. All indoor sports will be prohibited and all places of worship will be closed, except for funerals with a limit of 25 people.

Schools will remain closed until Jan.17. Daycare will remain open however school daycares will be for essential workers only, and stores will remain closed for the first three Sundays of January, with the exception of convenience stores, gas stations and pharmacies.

Screening is now offered by appointment only at designated centres due to the large volume of requests. Appointments can be made at the following link: http://cisss-outaouais.gouv.qc.ca/covid-19/depistage. CISSSO strongly recommends seeking testing for those who are exhibiting symptoms or those who have been in contact with people exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms.

Vaccinations are currently available for the following:

People aged 55 years old and over (3rd dose);

People who have received 2 doses of AstraZeneca or Covishield (3rd dose);

Immunocompromised or dialysis patients age 12 and older (3rd doses);

Immunocompromised or dialysis patients age 18 and older (additional doses);

People who have a chronic disease or health condition that increases the risk of complications from COVID-19 (3rd dose);

People who are pregnant (3rd dose);

Informal or family caregivers (3rd dose);

Children aged 5 to 11 years (1st dose);

Certified early childhood education workers. Proof of employment will be required on site (3rd dose);

People living in identified remote areas;

Private or public health and social services system workers. Ambulance drivers and first responders. Proof of employment will be required on site (3rd dose);

Public security workers. Proof of employment will be required on site (3rd dose);

School employees. Proof of employment will be required on site (3rd dose);

Health and social services community organizations workers. Proof of employment will be required on site (3rd dose);

Slaughterhouse workers and MAPAQ inspectors. Proof of employment will be required on site (3rd dose)

For more information regarding vaccination campaign, visit the website: Home | Portal Clic Santé (clicsante.ca)

Flu Vaccine: Make an appointment at a health centre or a pharmacy near you to receive the influenza vaccine.

Do not go to a vaccination site if you are in isolation or quarantine.

As of Jan. 4 CISSSO listed the following statistics for positive cases in Pontiac:

Bristol: 7 (+1)

Bryson: 11 (+1)

Campbell’s Bay: 20 (+2)

Chichester: 8 (no increase)

Clarendon: 5 or less

Fort-Coulonge: 54 (+3)

Île-du-Grand-Calumet: 8 (no increase)

L’Îsles-aux-Allumettes: 25 (no increase)

Litchfield: 5 or less (no increase)

Mansfield and Pontefract: 108 (+6)

Otter Lake: 13 (+3)

Portage-du-Fort: 5 or less (no increase)

Shawville: 53 (+17)

Sheenboro: 5 or less (no increase)

Thorne: 5 or less (no increase)

Waltham: 13 (+1)

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