Quebec defends its cautious approach to removing COVID-19 restrictions like mask mandates

All of Quebec’s COVID-19 indicators are confirming the province’s decision to gradually return to normal in a cautious manner, according to the interim public health director.

Dr. Luc Boileau says Quebec’s more cautious approach – in comparison to other provinces – was the right one.

At a press conference in Montreal on Wednesday, Boileau added the provincial health updates would become less frequent and only when the epidemiological situation called for one.

He says cases, hospitalizations, deaths and absences among health workers are declining, calling the situation very encouraging.

This comes as the mask mandate in most public spaces will come to an end May 14, with the exception of transit, hospitals, clinics, CHSLDs, and for those who test positive for COVID and are out of their isolation period.

Masks won’t be required in mental-health facilities.

But the government still recommends them for some.

“Yes, we will, of course, strongly recommend that people that are immunocompromised still wear a mask when they go outside in public spaces,” said Dr. Marie-France Raynault, a medical advisor with Quebec’s Health Ministry. “And we will try to…recommend also that that people as a politeness wear a mask when they are in crowded places where they may be a risk.”

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Also at the press conference, Caroline Quach cited a U.S. study where mask-wearing decreased the risk of catching COVID by 70 per cent.

“So I think we have to also understand that the mask is also protective from others,” said Quach. “Even if you’re going into a room full of COVID and the best fit for that mask is what protects you most.”

Dr. Boileau added that even with masks coming off this weekend, health officials do not feel it will affect the decreasing sixth wave.

They say they will revaluate the mandate for public transit in the coming weeks.

New Quebec COVID-19 projections

The Institut national d’excellence en santé et en services sociaux published new projections Wednesday suggesting the pace of new hospitalizations will slow over the next two weeks to about 55 cases daily. And it also expects a decrease in the number of intensive-care beds occupied by COVID patients.

Dr. Boileau also addressed confusion about Quebec’s stance on booster shots, that third doses are recommended for all adults as well as pregnant women and health workers.

The province also recommends third doses for those 12 to 17 who are at high risk of complications from COVID.

Who needs fourth doses in Quebec?

Fourth doses, which are available to all those 18 plus, are recommended for specific groups. That includes people who live in settings like long-term care homes and seniors’ residences, as well as those 80 and older who live in the community, and others who are immunocompromised.

A report by Quebec’s auditor general says the province overpaid on personal protective equipment during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic by almost $1 billion – and that the government was unprepared for the pandemic and rushed into purchasing equipment at high prices.

“The main interest for me right now is to make sure that we are ready to face any other situation for this actual sixth wave, of course, but for another one that could come in the next few months,” said Boileau. “And so we have to be ready and will take care to know everything that has to be noted to make sure that we’re ready.”

On a possible seventh wave in the fall, the province pointed to vaccines, Paxlovid, Evusheld, an antibody-based therapy to prevent COVID-19 infections as tools to prevent going back to lockdowns and stricter health measures.