Quebec to allow indoor gatherings of 50 people, children to be closer together - Action News
Home WebMail Monday, November 11, 2024, 02:47 AM | Calgary | -0.9°C | Regions Advertise Login | Our platform is in maintenance mode. Some URLs may not be available. |
Montreal

Quebec to allow indoor gatherings of 50 people, children to be closer together

The new regulations will take effect on June 22. Physical distancing rules for children will also ease up that day.

Larger gatherings allowed and cinemas can reopen on June 22

Dr. Horacio Arruda, Quebec's public health director, announced the reopening of movie theatres and performance spaces Monday. (Ivanoh Demers/Radio-Canada)

Quebec is allowing indoor gatherings of up to 50 people once again, starting on June 22, provided social distancing rules are respected.

Dr. Horacio Arruda, the province's public health director, made the announcement Monday, explaining that this new regulation will allow movie theatres and performance spaces to reopen, with special measures in place.

In places with seating, and specifically where no one is talking,people will be expected to stay 1.5 metres away from one another, Arruda said. That includes university classrooms and movie theatres.

In larger gathering areas where there is a lot of circulation, including in restaurants,Quebecers will still be expected to keep two metres apart.

"It will be even more important with the easing of the physical distancing to continue promotingmeasures that were proven to be efficient," Arruda said, stressing the importance of frequent hand washing.

Arruda strongly recommendswearing a maskor face covering when in these large indoor gatherings.

"Just as in gatherings in private places, the physical distancing will not be applicable to those people coming from the same household," he added.

New physical-distancing rules in effect as of June 22. (CBC)

When it comes to concerts, there will need to be extra space between the performer and spectator,Dr. Richard Mass, a senior public health official, explained.

And spectators shouldn't expect to sing along with their favourite music.

"Speaking does emit droplets,"Masssaid. He said singing creates even more droplets and is therefore riskier.

Places of worship still closed

This announcement does not include places of worship because there are several additional elements to consider when it comes to physical distancing there, Arruda said. He is expected to announce reopening dates for those institutions later this week.

"There are many religious groups where singing is one of the important elements, therefore we'll have to see whether people want to maintain the singing aspect or whether they want to reduce it or eliminateit," Masssaid.

When it comes to indoor gatherings at home, the maximum will still be 10 people from a maximum of three households.

Bars will also remain closed for now.

New rules for children

The province is also allowing children under16 to be closer together only one metre apart instead of two. This will also apply in day camps and schools.

"In regions where going back to school was done in the past few weeks, the news is very good up until now. A restrained number of outbreaks have been reported and, as we were hoping, no child was badly affected by the disease," Arruda said.

Children will still need to maintain a two-metre distance from adults.

Arrudasaid parents should consider having their kids socialize in "bubbles" small groups of four to six children who would always play together and who would be allowed to interact with one another from a distance of less than one metre.

"Exchanges with others are primordial," Arruda said of the impact of interacting with others on human development.

Education Minister Jean-Franois Robergeis expected to announce more details on school and daycare regulations on Tuesday.

Add some good to your morning and evening.

Your daily guide to the coronavirus outbreak. Get the latest news, tips on prevention and your coronavirus questions answered every evening.

...

The next issue of the Coronavirus Brief will soon be in your inbox.

Discover all CBC newsletters in theSubscription Centre.opens new window

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Google Terms of Service apply.