Quebecers are relieved to finally be able to enjoy their favorite activities without reservation, whether they are vaccinated or not, while businesses can now operate at maximum capacity.
• Read also: COVID-19: almost back to normal, Quebecers are happy
• Read also: The passport is no longer on the menu
• Read also: Mandatory mask wearing may end at the end of March
Photo Erika Aubin
Patricia Bon and her 5-year-old nephew Xavier have a great time at the Récréofun amusement center in Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville.
“The kids were so happy when I told them we were going to the amusement center. They were screaming and jumping all over the house this morning,” says Jonathan Morin, met by The newspaper at the Récréofun in Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville.
As he is not vaccinated, he and his family have not been able to go there since September, when they had subscribed to it before. “We will be able to resume a normal life,” he says.
In Quebec, Pierre-Luc Michaud and his brother Jérôme could not help but take advantage of the lifting of the vaccine passport from day one. They had waited impatiently for this moment.
Photo Didier Debusschere
Le Cochon Dingue from Lebourgneuf in Quebec enjoyed huge crowds yesterday.
“We came to the restaurant for lunch this morning and we are going to the cinema this afternoon. We’re spoiling ourselves, it’s been a long time since we’ve been out! exclaims the man in front of a well-filled plate at Le Cochon Dingue in Lebourgneuf.
The lifting of numerous health measures yesterday took a weight off the shoulders of several traders, after two years of financial difficulties.
“We had a boom of calls for this weekend. It allows us to seek out customers that we had lost,” says Isabelle Gagnon, co-owner of the Imaginarius amusement center in Quebec City.
Photo QMI Agency, Toma Iczkovits
There was a party atmosphere last night at the Vieux St-Hubert bar in Montreal, with the resumption of karaoke activities. Since yesterday, the majority of health measures have been lifted in Quebec.
Same story on the side of the karaoke bar Au Vieux St-Hubert, in Montreal, where every Thursday, Friday and Saturday is already “booked” for March and April. “People can’t wait to come and sing! exclaims owner Stéphanie Morin.
Photo QMI Agency, Thierry Laforce
The Huis Clos resto-bar on Saint-Denis Street in Montreal was crowded in the early evening.
Jean-Philippe Gauthier, owner of the Huis Clos bar in Montreal, was also relieved to be able to open at full capacity and until the early morning. “Running at 50% capacity is almost impossible to make a profit,” he said.
The only downside is that restaurateurs will still not be able to open their establishments 100% and at regular times, due to the shortage of labour.
“This is great news, but I still won’t be able to open on Monday and Tuesday. I need at least 125 employees to manage my restaurants as before,” laments Pierre Moreau, CEO of Restos Plaisirs.
Most of the vaccinated clients of the different establishments visited by The newspaper were moreover in agreement with the abolition of these measures.
“We shouldn’t go too fast, but I think we got there. It’s a good thing, ”says Line Julien.
They have been the source of many conflicts in the population, but also in families, it is emphasized.
“We can finally change the subject and turn the page. It will do everyone good, ”believes Marie-Noëlle Laguë for her part.
– With the collaboration of Olivier Faucher
The measures withdrawn
- The vaccination passport in public places
- Capacity limited to 50%
- Limit of people seated at a table in public places
- No dancing or karaoke
- Register of visitors to seniors’ residences
- Isolation of contact cases
- Self-service buffets prohibited
The remaining measures
- Wearing a mask in public places (will be removed no later than mid-April)
- Wearing a mask on public transport (will be removed in May at the earliest)
Travelling
For those vaccinated:
- Negative antigen test required to return home
For the unvaccinated:
- Negative PCR test required to return home and 8and day of stay
- 14-day isolation upon return home
The various Canadian provinces have each started a gradual deconfinement plan. However, the lifting of sanitary measures will not take place at the same pace from one end of the country to the other. Some provinces are banking on caution while others have already ended virtually all restrictions to combat the spread of the virus.
ONTARIO
Ontarians no longer have to present a vaccination passport since March 1. The lifting of sanitary measures will be done gradually until the end of all restrictions, including the wearing of masks, on April 27.
ALBERTA
Albertans live their lives virtually as if the danger of COVID-19 no longer exists. The vaccine passport has been lifted for more than a month already. It will also soon be two weeks since wearing a mask is not compulsory, except in public transport for people aged 13 and over and in certain healthcare establishments.
BRITISH COLUMBIA
At the other end of the country, wearing a mask in indoor public places, except public transport, is not required. “Wearing a mask is a personal choice,” reads the government website. However, proof of vaccination will still be required until April 8.
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
The province of the Maritimes is proceeding with caution. The end of the vaccine passport was lifted on February 28, but the capacity limits will be in place until April 7. The step-by-step plan to ease public health measures does not yet include lifting mask-wearing.
– Erika Aubin
Archival photo
Horacio Arruda and François Legault on March 12, 2020.
Two years ago, on March 12, 2020, the Legault government announced a series of tough measures to slow the spread of COVID-19. There were 13 cases in the province at the time, including two hospitalized patients. Here is what the authorities were saying at the time.
“ All of Quebec must go into emergency mode. For now, the pandemic is under control. The next few weeks are going to be critical. Our goal is to slow the spread of the virus as much as possible.
“ We are going to announce measures to help all companies that have liquidity problems due to the impacts of the coronavirus. We’re not going to let anyone down. »
– Francois Legault, Prime Minister
“ It is a virus that spreads more than the flu. It is the very aggressive approach at the start, by our actions, which will reduce the introduction and which will spread the curve [des cas]. »
“ It is clear that individual rights are being somewhat violated, but it is for the collective good. »
– Horacio Arruda, National Director of Public Health
– Marie Pier Roy
Reference-www.tvanouvelles.ca