Quebec back to a more ‘normal life’, drops almost all COVID measures
Posted March 12, 2022 8:30 am.
Last Updated March 13, 2022 1:09 pm.
Saturday marked a return to a more ‘normal life’ for Quebecers, with almost all COVID-19 health restrictions now lifted – except for mask mandates. The vaccine passport has been fully dropped.
Bars, restaurants, entertainment venues, and more no longer have capacity limits.
The Montreal Canadiens game at the Bell Centre Saturday night against the Seattle Kraken can welcome 21,302 fans.
Montrealers say they’re excited but wary.
“I think getting back to normal life is really important, especially for people’s mental health,” said Montrealer Daniel Harris.
“I have some reservations about lifting everything. I think it should be more gradual. But there’s a lot of people who were suffering during the pandemic, especially during the lockdowns, but even not being able to do some of the things they like to do.”
Added Elijas Jampel-Bornstein: “I have some excitement. Like I’m excited to be able to go out, to be able to play soccer, to be able to not wear my mask in certain settings. But for a large part, I think it’s somewhat dangerous to certain people, especially lifting the mask mandate.”
Epidemiologist Dr. Christopher Labos says removing the vaccine passport system entirely is a slight cause for concern.
“By removing the vaccine passport system, yes you have removed the incentive that gave people a lot of reasons to get vaccinated,” said Labos. “And that’s the thing that I find a little bit troubling. If you’re going to make the argument that we can lift all these restrictions, capacity limits, masks because our vaccination rate is so high, why would you then remove the program that has been so instrumental in getting the vaccination rate up there?
“I think it is reasonable to lift some of the capacity limits because there obviously is an economic tension to keeping things closed. And you have to counterbalance the medical and economic aspects that drive society.”
Other changes as of Saturday: Quebecers who have been in contact at home with someone who tests positive for COVID-19 no longer have to self-isolate.
Public health announced earlier this week that people who have been in contact with a positive case will be able to go about their lives, but for 10 days they will have to monitor for symptoms, wear a mask and avoid situations where they have to remove their face covering or are in close contact with others, especially those at high risk.
Previously, anyone living with an infected person had to isolate for five days.
As of March 14, masks in class for elementary and high school students in Laval and some other regions now returning from spring break, will be dropped. They are still required in all common areas and on school transit.
Students in Montreal had the changes come into effect March 7.
The government is not ready to lift all mask mandates, but officials say it could happen sooner than the expected mid-April – around the end of March possibly.
“I’ll still probably wear a mask for the most part,” said Jampel-Bornstein.
Added Labos: “There is almost zero downside to wearing a mask. The cost is minimal, the inconvenience is trivial, and it makes a huge difference.”
READ MORE: ‘The pandemic is not over’ says Quebec public health as more measures are eased
While public-health officials say they will be keeping a close eye to see how the epidemiological situation evolves, they are confident that the recent decisions they’ve made are prudent.
“The level of immunity within the community, almost three million Quebecers infected by now, is now ready to accept the easing of measures,” said Dr. Luc Boileau at a press conference on Thursday.
Public health also added that a fourth booster shot could be soon recommended for those at high-risk, like the immunocompromised.
“I think you are getting a bit of a mixed messaging from the government,” said Labos. “You’re being told, ‘vaccines are no longer mandatory, but please do it. Masks are no longer mandatory, but please wear them.’ And so that’s going to be confusing for people because I worry that a lot of people, when they hear something is no longer mandatory, it means to them that they no longer have to do it.”
