COVID-19: Montreal repeals provincial daycare directive

The city’s public health department is suspending a provincial order allowing exposed children and educators to stay in daycare.

Author of the article:

Jason magder • Montreal Gazette

Publication date:

January 03, 2022 • 49 minutes ago • 1 minute read • Join the conversation

Children from a Laval kindergarten walk down a street on December 3, 2020. Children are not required to wear masks in kindergartens, according to provincial directives. Photo by John Mahoney /Montreal Gazette

Montreal’s public health department confirmed Monday that it is repealing a provincial directive allowing children and educators to stay in daycare after being exposed to COVID-19.

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“The directive has been suspended,” Jean Nicolas Aubé, a spokesman for the city’s public health department, told the Montreal Gazette on Monday afternoon.

The directive in question states that children and educators in daycare settings who come into contact with anyone infected with COVID-19 are considered to be at a “moderate risk” level, are allowed to remain in daycare and do not need to isolate themselves. Children are not required to wear masks in kindergartens, according to provincial directives.

The rule was implemented last week, but was not announced during Prime Minister François Legault’s press conference on December 30. Instead, nurseries received the province’s new directive on the same day more restrictive measures were announced for Quebec schools, shops, restaurants and bars.

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When asked about the measure, public health officials told CTV News last week that they would contact daycare centers to clarify the new rules.

However, Aubé said the city’s public health department has suspended the order, meaning that daycare centers across the island will adhere to measures in place last year, which required children and educators to isolate themselves for a 10-day period after being exposed to someone infected. with the virus.

“These children are not vaccinated and they do not wear masks,” Aubé said.

He added that while the Montreal public health department has the authority to suspend or modify the province’s directives, it is now in discussion with the Quebec public health department about the measure. Aubé said the city’s public department has made modifications to provincial directives in the past, particularly to address Montreal-specific situations in school settings.

This story will be updated.

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