COVID-19 in Quebec: What you need to know Monday
CBC News | Posted: October 18, 2021 10:33 AM | Last Updated: October 18, 2021
Inadequately vaccinated health-care workers no longer eligible for bonuses, health minister says
- Quebec reported 410 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday and five new deaths.
- Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 420,129 confirmed cases and 11,449 people have died.
- There are 303 people in hospital (same as Sunday), including 77 in intensive care (an increase of one).
- As of Monday, the province has administered 13,101,548 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
- 90 per cent of the eligible population in the province (age 12 and up) has received one dose of vaccine, and 86 per cent has received two doses.
Note: Quebec's Health Ministry does not publish the number of vaccines administered on weekends and public holidays.
Quebecers can now obtain a proof of COVID-19 vaccination specifically intended for travel outside the province, the Health Ministry announced Monday.
Officials said the new proof of vaccination will be accepted in all other provinces, as well as in parts of the United States and some other countries.
Public health officials said the document is different from the province's vaccination passport, which is used to access gyms, restaurants, bars and sporting and entertainment venues in Quebec.
The new proof of vaccination will be available for download from Quebec's COVID-19 website as a PDF, to be used on a mobile device or printed.
Health-care workers lose bonuses
Health-care workers who aren't adequately vaccinated will lose their salary bonuses, starting today.
Quebec has offered bonuses for the past year and a half to health-care workers. Front-line health-care workers received an eight-per-cent salary increase, whereas employees who were at a lower risk of exposure to COVID-19 received a four-per-cent increase.
Staff who aren't adequately vaccinated would also be ineligible for the recently announced $15,000 bonus, Health Minister Christian Dubé told Radio-Canada's Tout le monde en parle last night.
"The most important thing for me is to protect our network and protect our patients, so there will be difficult decisions to make on Nov. 15." he said.
As of Monday, 19,835 health-care workers are not adequately protected, including 13,816 workers who haven't received their first dose.
U.S. land borders to reopen, molecular tests required
Canadians will still need to take a molecular test, like the expensive PCR test, in order to return to Canada from the United States after the land border reopens to fully vaccinated travellers on Nov. 8.
Currently, Canadians can fly to the U.S. as long as they have a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of departure — including a much cheaper and more easily accessed antigen test.
But to return to Canada, Canadians are required to provide a negative molecular test within 72 hours of departure.
Some PCR tests, which are commonly used by travellers, can cost more than $139 US. Other types of molecular tests, like a NAAT test, are also accepted.
The Canada-U.S. border has been closed for non-essential travel since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. Canada opened its border to U.S. travellers in early August.
Vaccination passport in health network
Quebec is now requiring people to show proof of vaccination before they can enter numerous health network facilities.
People aged 13 and older will need a vaccine passport to enter places such as hospitals, long-term care homes, clinics, rehabilitation centres and seniors residences.
The health order applies to caregivers, companions and visitors, but it includes several exceptions, notably that a passport won't be required to receive services or care.
The new rule was supposed to come into force at the same time as the vaccine mandate deadline for health-care workers, but the health minister postponed the deadline by one month.
Eastern Townships health authority cutting additional services
The CIUSSS de l'Estrie-CHUS said on Friday that it expects to be short at least 1,700 staff members once the province's mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy for health-care workers kicks in next month.
The health authority had about 1,000 vacant positions to fill before the vaccine mandate was announced. Another approximately 1,000 health care workers have yet to get their vaccines.
As a result of the staffing shortage, the health authority is already starting to shut down some of its services immediately.
Restrictions loosened for bars, restaurants
The province is scaling back public health restrictions on bars and restaurants starting Nov. 1, allowing them to reach full capacity and halving the two-metre distance rule.
Normal operating hours will also be allowed, meaning bars can once again stay open until 3 a.m. Under the current rules, bars and restaurants are allowed to serve alcohol until 1 a.m. and bars must close by 2 a.m.
The ban on dancing, standing and singing will remain in effect, and the vaccination passport will still be required. Wearing masks will continue to be required when moving around the establishment.
If the distance of one metre cannot be achieved between tables, a barrier must be in place.
There will still be a cap on the number of people allowed at one table — 10 people from three different households.
Top COVID-19 stories
- Take a look inside: How a Montreal hospital deals with ongoing staffing shortages
- Eastern Townships health authority cuts additional services despite vaccine mandate extension
- U.S. confirms it will accept Canadian travellers with mixed vaccines
- Quebec postpones vaccination mandate for health-care workers to Nov. 15
- These Quebec nurses are willing to sacrifice their careers to avoid getting COVID-19 shots
- ICU staff battle patients' regret, denial and mistrust during Quebec's 4th wave
- Quebec passes law to make protesting outside schools, hospitals and vaccinations sites illegal
- Groups say Quebec's bonus pay for nurses won't solve staffing crisis.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
- Fever.
- New or worsening cough.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Sudden loss of smell without a stuffy nose.
- Gastrointestinal issues (such as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting).
- Sore throat
- Generalized muscle pain.
- Headache.
- Fatigue.
- Loss of appetite.
If you think you may have COVID-19, the government asks that you call 1‑877‑644‑4545 to schedule an appointment at a screening clinic.
To reserve an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine, you can go on the online portal quebec.ca/covidvaccine. You can also call 1-877-644-4545.