COVID-19 in Quebec: What you need to know this weekend
CBC News | Posted: May 29, 2021 12:15 PM | Last Updated: May 30, 2021
Spontaneus celebrations erupted Friday and Saturday night in Montreal's Old Port as curfew lifted
- Quebec reported 315 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday and two more deaths.
- Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 370,043 confirmed cases and 11,125 people have died.
- There are 364 people in hospital (a decrease of nine), including 90 in intensive care (a decrease of one).
- 97,392 more vaccine doses have been administered, for a total of 5,503,277 since Dec. 14.
On the second night of post-curfew festivities in Montreal's Old Port, police had to disperse a crowd of thousands after one person was shot in the foot and another was stabbed in the upper body.
Both were treated in hospital. Dozens of officers dressed in riot gear asked people to leave Place Jacques-Cartier after the altercation took place around midnight.
Police said there were too many people in the Old Port square and asked people to leave for safety reasons.
Several hundred people had gathered in the Old Port on Friday as well to celebrate the lifting of Quebec's curfew.
Revellers had something else to celebrate on Saturday in addition to newfound freedom: the Habs' 3-2 overtime win against the Leafs. It was the first game in more than a year where fans were permitted inside the Bell Centre.
As part of the partial reopening, Montrealers also flocked this weekend to restaurants, who were allowed to serve clients outside for the first time in several months.
Vaccinations begin at Gilles-Villeneuve race track
A vaccination site at the Gilles-Villeneuve race track is now open, and this weekend is reserved for people who want to go there on their bikes.
About 1,000 doses are expected to be administered, with half of those available for people who did not book appointments in advance.
The site will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For next weekend and the one after, the race track will turn into a drive-thru vaccination site.
Where can you get your second AstraZeneca shot?
Quebecers who have received a shot of the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine will be able to get a second dose sooner than expected — eight weeks after the first one.
As an example, Health Minister Christian Dubé said anyone who received their first dose prior to April 3 can get the second dose as early as this weekend. The vaccine will be made available at walk-in clinics.
The list of walk-in sites is now available.
The province initially planned on providing the second doses 12 weeks after the first shot.
Those who received other vaccines for their first dose will likely be able to move up their second dose starting June 7. The rescheduling will be based on priority groups.
WATCH | How vaccines make their way to the population:
Top COVID-19 stories
- Quebec moves ahead with reopening, but people in Montreal and Laval will have to be patient.
- Quebec expands its vaccination campaign to teenagers.
- Quebec's gradual return to contact sports will begin mid-June.
- Canada is gearing up to reopen. Can it last?
- Canada has ordered more than 400 million COVID-19 vaccine shots: Here's the progress report.
- Quebec's re-opening plan brings some much-needed hope, and some risks.
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, runny or stuffy nose.
- 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.
Quebec government reminders for preventing the spread of COVID-19:
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Avoid touching your face.
- Wear a mask or face covering 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.