COVID-19 in Quebec: What you need to know Friday
CBC News | Posted: March 12, 2021 11:27 AM | Last Updated: March 12, 2021
Sports, spas, hotel pools and church gatherings making a comeback
- Quebec reported 753 new cases on Friday and nine more deaths. One previously reported death is no longer attributed to COVID-19.
- Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 296,143 confirmed cases and 10,526 people have died.
- There are 550 people in hospital (a decrease of 13), including 106 in intensive care (a decrease of five).
- 28,910 doses of vaccine were administered on Thursday. A total of 648,663 people have been vaccinated since Dec. 14.
The Quebec government will allow gyms and indoor training facilities to reopen across the province — and relax rules for outdoor sports activities in orange zones, as of March 26.
The government is also loosening restrictions for places of worship in red zones, allowing up to 25 people to gather as of March 26. The current capacity is 10 people maximum. People will be required to wear procedural masks and maintain a safe distance from each other.
Quebec is also reopening spas and indoor pools in hotels as of March 26.
The new sports guidelines were announced Friday by Isabelle Charest, the minister responsible for sports. She said they are part of a planned, progressive return to normal conditions as Quebec's vaccination campaign advances — provided the pandemic situation continues to improve.
In red zones, all indoor fitness facilities including gyms will be allowed to open, but they will need to keep a log of those who attend. People will be able train solo or with another person, or with multiple people from the same household.
Group outdoor sports and recreational training will remain open to a maximum of eight people in red zones but will increase to 12 people in orange zones. In orange zones, indoor activities will be allowed with up to eight people.
Participants must maintain the two metres of physical distancing for all activities, indoor and outdoor, regardless of zones, Charest said. Games between teams or schools remain off-limits in red zones but the rules will be relaxed for orange zones.
Meanwhile, people who are 65 and older on the island of Montreal can now reserve their spot for a COVID-19 vaccine. Elsewhere in Quebec, only people who are at least 70 can book an appointment.
Yesterday was the one-year anniversary of the global pandemic, and the province marked the occasion by remembering the more than 10,500 people who lost their lives due to the disease.
"We lost grandpas and grandmas, dads, moms, brothers, sister, friends," Premier François Legault said during a ceremony outside the National Assembly building. His speech was followed by a moment of silence.
If you have been feeling isolated, we've compiled some ways to help cope as part of a special CBC Quebec project called Out of the Dark: Real Talk on Mental Health.
Top COVID-19 stories today
- Montreal seniors knit colourful scarves to commemorate the lives lost in long-term care homes. of 251
- The family of a Montreal woman found dead on a hospital floor is seeking answers.
- Côte Saint-Luc grapples with Montreal's highest per capita COVID-19 case count
- Quebec community organizers warn that language, cultural barriers could fuel vaccine hesitancy.
- Here are some of the Quebec health professionals who are now administering vaccines.
- Families, athletes call for return of team sports in Quebec.
- In this opinion column, the writer argues COVID-19 has added to the educational barriers girls and women face around the world.
- Here's how to know if your kid has COVID — and what to expect if they do
- The first order of business after 103-year-old Stanley Sepchuk's COVID-19 vaccine was to grab a glass of wine.
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).
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.
Quebec government reminders for preventing the spread of COVID-19:
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Avoid touching your face.
- Wear a mask or face covering when physical distancing is not possible. Wearing a mask is mandatory in enclosed public spaces across the province.
- Stay at least two metres away from other people as much as possible.
- Self-isolate for 14 days after returning from a stay outside the country.