COVID-19 in Quebec: What you need to know on Monday
Wearing masks expected to become mandatory on public transit
- Quebec has 55,390 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 5,485 people have died. Since Thursday, the government reported an increase of 311 new cases and 37 deaths.
- There are 455 people in hospital, including 45 in intensive care. Here's a guide to the numbers.
- Quebec will resume releasing daily data on COVID-19, starting today.
- CBC Montreal is collecting stories from Quebecers who have recovered from COVID-19. If you would like to share your experience, please get in touch here.
- Having trouble keeping track of what has reopened? Consult our list.
Wearing masks will soon become mandatory on public transit across Quebec, Radio-Canada has learned.
While the wearing of face coverings is strongly encouraged when Quebecers are in indoor spaces or cannot leave two metres between each other, sources tell Radio-Canada that they will be mandatory on public transit by this fall.
Premier François Legault is expected to make the announcement on Tuesday.
At a news conference on Monday, Quebec's director of public health, Dr. Horacio Arruda, said face coverings may soon be required to ride public transit. He said an announcement would be coming soon.
Quebec resume releasing daily COVID-19 data
Quebec has provided an update on the COVID-19 situation for the first time in four days, with the province reporting 37 deaths and 311 new cases since Thursday.
Last week, the government quietly revealed it intended to reduce the frequency of updates about the coronavirus situation in Quebec.
Met with criticism, it later went back on that decision, announcing it would resume releasing daily COVID-19 data starting today.
Future of Montreal music venues uncertain
While Montreal's music venues can now legally reopen, a full calendar of live, indoor concerts could still be months away — and some venue owners aren't sure if they'll be able to last that long.
They say it's logistically and financially impossible to recreate the intimate atmosphere of live shows in small and mid-sized venues while reducing capacity and following health guidelines.
And even if they are able to navigate those guidelines, it's unclear if people would come.
Some venues have already decided to close for good, including the House of Jazz in downtown Montreal.
Montreal homeless organizations brace for second wave
Montreal public health officials say efforts to protect the city's homeless population have paid off so far. There have been only 21 positive COVID-19 cases among more than 700 homeless people screened since the start of the pandemic.
Homeless organizations, in partnership with public health officials, are now preparing for the next wave of COVID-19 infections.
A recent $10-million grant from the federal government will help homeless organizations provide emergency relief.
And until long-term solutions are found, the former site of the Royal Victoria Hospital will be used as an overflow shelter because space for beds in the city's other shelters has been limited by the two-metre distancing rule.
Houses of worship reopen with new rules
Congregants returning to churches, mosques and synagogues will find there are several new rules to follow.
Some of the new rules are familiar. Worshippers will have to wear a mask and wash their hands regularly. In Catholic churches, there will no longer be paper materials in pews, and there will be no singing during the service.
Those who have returned to their houses of worship say they're very happy to be back.
