Premier François Legault says Quebec’s COVID-19 situation has improved considerably. He cited low case counts, declining hospitalizations and high vaccination rates.
“Things are going well,” Legault told a press conference in Montreal.
The situation is such that as of Monday all regions will be green – the least restrictive level in Quebec’s alert system.
Montreal is currently yellow, along with Laval, the Montérégie, the Laurentians, the Eastern Townships, Outaouais, Lanaudière, Quebec City and Chaudière-Appalaches.
Going green will ease several restrictions.
For example, up to 10 people will be able to gather in private homes – and up to 20 will be allowed in backyards and other outdoor private spaces, Legault said.
In restaurants and bars, up to 10 people will be allowed at a table indoors – and up to 20 people outdoors.
Festivals will be able to welcome up to 3,500 people.
The premier said “small and medium” parties will be allowed – but not “big parties.”
Legault said the next major step in Quebec’s reopening plan will occur when 75 per cent of people 12 and over are fully vaccinated.
A reporter asked about the fact that Quebec says people who have previously had COVID-19 only need one dose. That could be a problem for people travelling to countries where two doses are required to enter.
Dr. Horacio Arruda, Quebec’s director of public health, said the province considers that people who had COVID-19 and one vaccine dose are completely vaccinated.
However, he said Quebecers who had COVID-19 and want a second dose will be allowed to do so if they need it for travel purposes.
This appears to be a change in policy.
Health Minister Christian Dubé provided an update on the flood of Moderna doses – 1.5 million doses are expected between today and Sunday.
Dubé said walk-in Moderna clinics will be set up across the province.
As of Monday, people who want to advance their second dose to receive Moderna will be able to do so via Clic Santé as of Monday, June 28.
That applies to people who received the Pfizer vaccine as their first dose and have not been able to advance their second shot because of delays in Pfizer deliveries.
Dubé was asked about people who received their first shot at a pharmacy but are having trouble advancing their second shot via Clic Santé.
With the arrival of Moderna doses, pharmacists have been asked to open up more appointment slots, the health minister said.
Dubé was asked about second vaccine doses for children 12 to 17.
Arruda said some data indicate that people in that age group may be adequately vaccinated with just one dose. He said the province will review the situation over the summer.
