The Government of Quebec held a press conference yesterday, February 2, 2021, at 5:00 p.m., to provide an update on the restriction measures related to COVID-19 in Quebec.
Premier François Legault, accompanied by the Minister of Health, Christian Dubé, and the Director of Public Health, Horacio Arruda, made adjustments to the current restrictions. With February 8 fast approaching, they have followed through on their promise to provide an update to Quebecers just under a week before the end of this decree.
GENERAL MEASURES
As cases and hospitalizations have declined in recent weeks, the government believes it can allow some areas to reopen in addition to easing some measures.
The government's announcement states that throughout Quebec :
Stores, hair salons, and museums will reopen;
Surveillance and capacity reduction in shopping centers;
Gradual return to class for universities and CEGEPs depending on the situation of each institution. The goal of at least one day per week in the classroom (distancing and procedural masks mandatory);
Increase in small group outdoor sports activities;
Telecommuting remains mandatory;
Restaurants/theaters and movie theaters remain closed, except in the orange zone;
Curfew remains in effect, 8 p.m. in red zone, 9:30 p.m. in orange zone. Maintained until February 22.
REGIONAL DIFFERENCES
The government has reduced the color coding by regions, which means that some regions will have a different status, depending on the evolution of the COVID-19 cases.
For now, six regions are moving to the orange zone (they were in the red zone):
Abitibi-Témiscamingue
Bas-Saint-Laurent
Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean
North Shore
Gaspésie-Iles-de-la-Madeleine
Nord-du-Québec
In the orange zone, certain activities are now permitted, such as
Restaurants, it will be necessary to operate by reservation, two meters between the tables, two adults (of the same address or not) with their children;
Gyms and some indoor sports activities (individual, two or family from the same address) will be allowed to resume their activities;
Theaters and cinemas will be able to reopen as of February 26;
Outdoor sports activities will be allowed in groups of 8 people from 8 different residences;
Curfew is extended to 9:30 p.m. instead of 8 p.m;
The new measures are subject to change. The official decree should be issued by the end of the week. The implementation of this new set of measures will take place starting February 8.