The city of Gatineau and the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais are now on the red alert level following a consistent high number of COVID-19 cases in the regions.
According to a City of Gatineau news release, the red alert level is effective starting Sunday (today) — a decision the City says was made under advisements.
“Every means will be taken to adjust and to apply the government directives while continuing to offer services to residents,” the release outlines.
The maximum alert, the City says, applies some of the most restrictive measures in a targeted manner in order to avoid a generalized confinement as in the first wave of the pandemic as much as possible.
“Gatineau is now at the red alert level, and residents are being asked to rise to the occasion for the economy and their health. I am counting on every Gatineau resident to apply the public health measures. It will take each and every one of us doing what it takes to get this virus to back off,” Gatineau Mayor Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin said.
The measures include, among others:
As of October 15, no organized sport or recreational activities will be permitted. However, individual activities and those done in pairs will be allowed as long as sanitary measures are adhered to.
Indoor sport facilities like arenas, pools and sport centres will remain open for individual workouts.
Outdoor sport and recreational facilities will also remain open for individual workouts.
The dressing rooms will be off limits, with the exception of the users for swimming and the washrooms.
The current schedules for skating, swimming, badminton, indoor running and walking will be maintained. A maximum of 25 participants will be allowed in at one time. An online registration system is being developed.
Hockey and basketball are cancelled.
Performance halls, theatres and art galleries will be closed.
Libraries will be open, but the only services provided will be no-contact loans.
Browsing through books on the shelves will not be permitted. Documents should be reserved ahead of time, and picked up once you have been notified that they are ready for you.
Computer terminals at the library will be closed.
Reading and work areas at the library will be off limits.
Among other areas that will be closed are bars and restaurant dining rooms.
