Quebec is underway with its reopening plans. As of Monday, March 7, primary and secondary school students no longer have to wear masks when seated in class.

In the next stage, which begins on Saturday, March 12, restaurants, bars and venues can open at . . .

100 per cent capacity with normal business hours. Dancing and karaoke will be allowed and the vaccine passport will no longer be required, apart from international travel.

As of March 7, masks are still mandatory, according to the Government of Quebec

By mid-April, masks will only be mandatory on public transit. The Quebec government said it will not lift the mask rule on transit until at least May.

In a press conference, Dr. Luc Boileau, interim Quebec director of public health, explained why it was important to continue to wear masks as it is primarily a precautionary measure to protect the people around us.

He pointed out that for the people who have been vaccinated, and especially for those who are at risk, the possibility of getting infected by COVID by mid-April again if the level of cases continues to drop, is very low. “So it will be the expression of a personal matter to decide if you wish to continue to wear it. Even though it’s not clear that wearing it will protect us, Of course, there is still possibilities to be infected even though you’re wearing it, but it will lower your personal risk.”

Outside and inside gatherings

It is recommended to limit indoor gatherings to a maximum of 10 people from different addresses or the occupants of three residences. It is recommended to limit outdoor gatherings to a maximum of 20 people from different addresses or the occupants of three residences.

Cinemas and Drive-ins

As of March 12, 2022, vaccine passports will no longer be required in cinemas, and food and drink will then be allowed.

As of March 7, CISSSO listed the following statistics for the Pontiac area:

Alleyn-et-Cawood: 9 (no increase)
Bristol: 20 (no increase)
Bryson: 36 (no increase)
Campbell’s Bay: 40 (no increase)
Chichester: 32 (no increase)
Clarendon: 5 or fewer (no increase)
Fort-Coulonge: 139 (+2)
Île-du-Grand-Calumet: 18 (no increase)
L’Îsles-aux-Allumettes: 40 (no increase)
Litchfield: 5 or fewer (no increase)
Mansfield and Pontefract: 217 (no increase)
Otter Lake: 43 (no increase)
Portage-du-Fort: 5 or fewer (no increase)
Rapide-des-Joachims 5 or fewer (no increase)
Shawville: 121 (+1)
Sheenboro: 5 or fewer (no increase)
Thorne: 5 or fewer (no increase)
Waltham: 20 (no increase)

Register or subscribe to read this content

Thanks for stopping by! This article is available to readers who have created a free account or who subscribe to The Equity.

When you register for free with your email, you get access to a limited number of stories at no cost. Subscribers enjoy unlimited access to everything we publish—and directly support quality local journalism here in the Pontiac.

Register or Subscribe Today!