Premier François Legault announces reopening plan
Covid-19 update: 1,109 active cases
Sophie Demers
As of February 8, Centre Intégré de la Santé et des Services Sociaux de l’Outaouais (CISSSO) reports 75 new Covid-19 cases bringing the total number of cases in the area since the beginning of the pandemic to 33,955. There are currently 1,109 active cases in the region. There have been a total of 273 Covid-19 related deaths in the Outaouais. CISSSO highlights that 32,573 people have now recovered from the virus. There are currently 40 individuals in the hospital with Covid-19, 7 of whom are in intensive care. A total of 134 of CISSSO employees currently have the virus.
The majority of Covid-19 cases are in Gatineau with 24,192 cumulative cases and 635 active cases. The MRC de Papineau has had 4,442 total cases and currently has 185 active cases; the MRC de Pontiac has has a total of 1,091 cases and currently has 77 active cases; the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais has had a total of 2,660 cases and has 92 active cases; and, the MRC de la Vallée-de-la-Gatineau has had 1,430 total cases and currently has 109 active cases. The origin of 11 cases are yet to be determined.
–Provincial safety regulations updated
In a February 8th press conference, Quebec Premier Francois Legault announced the reopening plan over the next few months. Here are the days where covid measures will be lifted this month.
As of February 12th, the capacity limit is lifted gathering in private homes however a limit of 10 people is suggested. In door dining in restaurants has a limit of 10 people per table or from the occupants of three households. In private seniors homes (RPA)
can have two visitors at a time for a maximum of four a day. Those in intermediate resources (RI) and long term care homes (CHSLD) can have one visitor at a time for a maximum of two a day. Vaccine passports will be required for visitors and those going to restaurants.
On February 14, more measures will be lifted for sports and recreation, and outdoor public events, and spas and saunas. Outdoor public events will have a 5000 people capacity limit. Spas and Saunas will be able to reopen at 50% capacity. Sports matches for all activities will be permitted and indoor sport and recreation classes and activities will be able to have groups of 25 people maximum in attendance. Finally, indoor gyms, interior golf and climbing gyms will be able to reopen at a 50% capacity. For all activities reopening on the 14 of February, vaccine passports will be required.
Starting on the 21 of February, the capacity limit for the SAQ, SQDC and big box stores will be lifted. Vaccine passports will be required to access these services. Recreational centers such as arcades, water parks, and amusement centers will
reopen at a 50% capacity with vaccine passports. Places of worship will reopen at 50% capacity for a maximum of 500 people with the vaccine passport. Meetings, conferences, and assemblies will be permitted to gather in person with a limit of 50 people. The vaccine passport will also be required for these meetings. Indoor public events such as cinemas, sports events and concerts or shows will reopen at 50%
capacity with vaccine passports. Sanitary measures will be put in place if the event has 1000 or more spectators.
On February 28, sports competitions and tournaments will be permitted with no capacity limit. The capacity limit will also be lifted for indoor public events in spaces with less than 10,000 spectators. Meetings and assemblies will also no longer have capacity limits. For restaurants, drinks and food will stop being served at midnight and the restaurant will close by 1am. Bars, taverns and casinos will have the same rules applied as restaurants and they can reopen at a 50% capacity. However, clients will be required to remain seated. Places of workshop will also have their capacity limit lifted and there will be a slow return to work in hybrid mode. All activities listed to reopen on February 28 will require a vaccine passport.
–Vaccination and Testing
A fourth dose is recommended for those 18 years of age or older who are immunocompromised or on dialysis.
CISSS asks that individuals wait to get their third dose until three months after their second dose. According to Premier Legault, 61% of Quebec residents have gotten their third dose. Government authorities continue to encourage citizens to get vaccinated.
Individuals hoping to get their first or second vaccination can do so at six walk-in clinics in the region or book their vaccine appointments by visiting https://portal3.clicsante.ca/ or by calling 1-877-644-4545
The Gatineau testing clinic is located at 135, St-Raymond Blvd and is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Rapid antigen screening tests are available to individuals at pharmacies, depending on the stock at each location.
The Quebec government is asking individuals that take a rapid test to visit Québec.ca/testcovid-19, to declare their results whether it is positive or negative.