Vaccine passports now required to enter Quebec health-care facilities

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.

Health officials are reporting 676 new COVID-19 cases today and six more deaths attributed to the novel coronavirus.

COVID-19-related hospitalizations rose by three, to 301, after 26 patients entered hospital and 23 were discharged. Seventy-nine people were in intensive care, a rise of three patients.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry said Thursday it would lift capacity limits for bars and restaurants on Nov. 1 and allow those businesses to reduce space between tables to one metre from two metres. In a statement, Health Minister Christian Dubsaid relaxing measures is possible in places that require the vaccine passport.

According to the province's public health institute, 90.1 per cent of Quebecers aged 12 and older have received one dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 86.9 per cent are considered adequately vaccinated. The province administered 13,279 vaccine doses on Thursday.