COVID-19 in Quebec: What you need to know Friday
CBC News | Posted: October 15, 2021 10:22 AM | Last Updated: October 15, 2021
Bars, restaurants can operate at full capacity come Nov. 1
- Quebec reported 676 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday and six new deaths.
- Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 418,508 confirmed cases and 11,437 people have died.
- There are 301 people in hospital (an increase of three), including 79 in intensive care (an increase of three).
- The province has administered 13,069,050 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, including 12,761 in the last 24 hours.
- 90 per cent of the eligible population in the province (age 12 and up) has received one dose of vaccine, and 85 per cent has received two doses.
Note: Quebec's Health Ministry does not publish the number of vaccines administered on weekends and public holidays.
Quebec is requiring people to show proof of vaccination before they can enter numerous health network facilities starting today.
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 the same time as the vaccine mandate deadline for health-care workers, but the health minister announce earlier this week that deadline would be delayed by one month.
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.
U.S. land borders to reopen Nov. 8
The United States is set to reopen its borders to fully vaccinated travellers starting Nov. 8, and will apply to those travelling by air, land or passenger ferry.
Air travellers will need to show proof of vaccination on arrival to the U.S., but will still need to show a pre-departure negative COVID-19 test taken within three days of travel prior to boarding their flight. The same policy applies for air travellers coming to Canada from the U.S.
Non-essential travellers crossing at a land border will be required to show proof of vaccination or attest to their vaccination status upon request by a border agent, but unlike air travellers there will be no requirement for them to show a negative COVID-19 test.
By January, essential travellers crossing at a land border will also be required to be fully vaccinated.
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.
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.
Top COVID-19 stories
- 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
- More than 17,000 Quebec health-care workers face suspension for refusing COVID-19 vaccine.
- 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.
- Eastern Townships health authority cuts additional services despite vaccine mandate extension
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.