June 8, 2021 | News

June 8, 2021 – Provincial government update on the COVID-19 pandemic

Here is an update on recent decisions and actions by the provincial government in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Québec will transition to yellow or green on June 14

 Premier François Legault announced that all of Québec, including Montréal and Laval, will transition to early warning (yellow) or vigilance (green) as of June 14.

Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Côte-Nord, Gaspésie and Nord-du-Québec are the only regions in the green zone.

The situation is being monitored in Chaudière-Appalaches, which may have to remain on moderate alert (orange) on June 14.

End of face coverings in classrooms

 Due to the heat wave, elementary and secondary students will no longer be required to wear a face covering in class for the rest of the year.

Face coverings are still mandatory in common areas, when walking in the hallways and on school transportation.

Bars to reopen

 The premier announced that bars will be able to reopen on June 11 for terraces, and indoors as of June 14.

Prom

Public Health is allowing proms with certain conditions: they must be held outdoors and after July 8 only.

A maximum of 250 people will be permitted, without a face covering or physical distancing.

July 8 was chosen because many teenagers will be vaccinated on June 24 and a period of two weeks is required to develop good immunity after the first dose.

“We agreed with Public Health that we’re taking a special step. Young people will be able to dance together and be less than one metre apart,” said François Legault.

Vaccination passport

 Minister of Health and Social Services Christian Dubé announced that a travel app is being developed.

“In the next few weeks, it will be possible to use this proof of vaccination and its great advantage is that travellers will be able to avoid quarantine when returning from a trip. It will be valid for people who have had both vaccine doses or one dose and a past COVID-19 infection,” said Mr. Dubé.

Details on the use of the proof of vaccination and the vaccination passport will be announced next week.

 Relaxing measures at the border

 Discussions were held between the federal government and the provinces to relax health measures at the border.

“The federal government would like to come to an agreement with all of the provinces. Not all premiers share the same opinion. All of this is currently being discussed. We’d like to think that, for people who’ve had both doses, measures could be relaxed maybe in July,” said François Legault.

Second dose of the Moderna vaccine

 Christian Dubé announced that people who have received the Moderna vaccine will be able to move up their appointment for the second dose next week.

“We don’t want to start moving up appointments without having a confirmation that supplies will be there, but it should be next week,” said Mr. Dubé.