Timeline of COVID-19 in Quebec in 2021

From COVID-19 lockdowns to a historic curfew, Quebec, like the rest of the world, has been affected by pandemic restrictions. Alyssia Rubertucci provides a timeline of the events that unfolded in Quebec over the last year.

By News Staff

Posted December 28, 2021 2:48 pm.

Last Updated December 28, 2021 3:53 pm.

From lockdowns to a historic curfew, Quebec’s 2021 was affected by COVID-19 restrictions. Here’s a timeline of how the pandemic shaped the year for Quebecers.

January

Premier François Legault announced the strictest of pandemic lockdown measures: the start of Quebec’s nearly six-month province-wide curfew. Quebec was the only province to implement such a measure. Quebecers who didn’t have a valid reason – such as for work – couldn’t be out past 8 p.m.

February

Quebec reached a grim milestone: surpassing 10,000 deaths due to COVID-19. That accounted for just under half of Canada’s total deaths from the virus at the time.

Quebec’s opposition parties renew calls for COVID public inquiry after 10,000 deaths

End of February into March

Mass vaccination sites were set up around Montreal – including at Olympic Stadium – as vaccinations were announced for the general population.

Mid-May

Quebecers 18 and over could book appointments for their first shot of the COVID-19 vaccine.

COVID vaccinations expand to all adults in Quebec

End of May

Many restrictions came to an end. The province-wide curfew was lifted, restaurant terraces reopened, gatherings of up to eight people in backyards were allowed, and travelling between regions became permitted.

A reminder of the first wave came when dozens of testimonies were heard at the coroner’s inquiry into deaths at Quebec’s seniors’ residences during the spring of 2020, led by coroner Géhane Kamel.

August

The Quebec government announced that a vaccine passport would be implemented in September. Only those fully vaccinated could access non-essential activities in certain high and moderate risk sectors in Quebec, including in bars and restaurants.

The announcement was met with backlash. Protests broke out, and thousands took to the streets of downtown Montreal to denounce it.

September

Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé announced a vaccine mandate for health-care workers. All unvaccinated employees were to be suspended without pay, but the Oct. 15 deadline was pushed back to November.

Dubé ultimately backtracked on the decision, saying the loss of unvaccinated staff – about 8,000 employees at the time – would have a “devastating effect” on the system.

November

Vaccinations were made available to Quebec children. About 650,000 kids aged five to 11 became eligible for a shot.

December

COVID-19 boosters were made available for people 60 and over, and for those with health issues.

Right before the holidays, Premier Legault announced new measures to help stop the spread of the Omicron variant. He capped Christmas gatherings at 10 people and limited stores and restaurants to 50 per cent capacity.

Bars, gyms and movie theatres were shut down days before Christmas, with restaurants having to close at 10pm – to help stop the spread as cases hit record levels. And as of Dec. 26 – gatherings inside homes limited to six people or two family bubbles and restaurants also limiting tables to six or two family bubbles.

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