Quebec to Eliminate Masking Mandate in High Schools, Lift Ban on Dancing and Karaoke | The Canadian News

Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé announced on Tuesday some relief from COVID-19 measures across the board.

All the new measures will take effect on November 15.

Dubé cited an epidemiological situation that was mostly under control in order to loosen restrictions.

The great news for bars, restaurants and nightclubs is that the dance ban will finally be lifted and customers will no longer have to sit at their table. Karaoke is also being given the green light, as long as the singer is at least two meters from the audience or is wearing a mask or is separated by a physical barrier.

However, passports and vaccine masks will be kept at these locations.

The move comes a day after capacity restrictions for bars and restaurants across the province were lifted.

Institute

High school students are also receiving a reprieve and will no longer be required to wear masks in their classrooms. However, masks will continue to be required in common areas and on school buses.

Quebec first introduced a mask mandate in the province’s red zones in October 2020 and moved to remove it before the 2021-22 school year.

However, the province was forced to back down after a surge in new infections triggered by the fourth wave of the pandemic.

However, elementary school students, who have not yet been vaccinated against COVID-19, will need to continue to wear face covers in the classroom.

Back to work

Employees will also be able to access work environments in person. Dubé said public health said it was no longer advising employers to favor telecommuting over working in person.

“It will be up to each employer to determine the formula that suits them best,” he said.

sports

Dubé also announced that vaccine passports will not be required to participate in open access winter sports that take place outdoors, such as sledding, skating, hockey and cross-country skiing. It will be necessary to have proof of vaccination, however, to access the activities with ski lifts and the use of face coverings is mandatory in the cable cars and other closed areas.

For gyms, the two-meter rule should only be respected in the event that a person removes the mask.

A complete list of the amended rules that will go into effect on November 15 will be available on the Quebec government website.

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