Businesses open on Sundays again; proof of vaccination in department stores starting Monday
Businesses in Quebec are reopening on Sundays, after being forced to close their doors on Jan. 2, 9 and 16.
This puts an end to a measure, among others, that had been put in place to try to limit the skyrocketing number of hospitalizations linked to COVID-19 fueled by the Omicron variant.
Ten days ago, Premier François Legault said he hoped to be able to announce the reopening of restaurant dining rooms, theatres and cinemas, among other venues, in the coming weeks.
The amateur sports community is also anxiously awaiting the reopening of their facilities and leagues.
The situation continues to improve slightly in Quebec hospitals.
According to data released on Saturday by the Ministry of Health, the number of hospitalizations due to COVID-19 dropped from 3,351 to 3,295 in the space of 24 hours. However, there were 275 people in intensive care, 10 more than the day before.
While many are expecting health measures to be relaxed as the fifth wave of the novel coronavirus wanes in the next few weeks, Quebec City is still preparing to tighten the screws on those who are not vaccinated.
As of Monday, the vaccination passport will become mandatory for access to big-box stores, whose surface area is greater than 1,500 square meters, except for those whose main activity is the sale of groceries or pharmacy products.
The vaccination passport is already required at liquor and cannabis stores in the province.
The Legault government is also considering imposing a "health tax" on people who have not been vaccinated, but the premier said there will be a debate in the National Assembly on this issue before that comes into place.
The bill could be tabled as early as next month.
-- This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Jan. 23, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
House admonishes ArriveCan contractor in rare parliamentary show of power
MPs enacted an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power on Wednesday, summonsing an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons where he was admonished publicly and forced to provide answers to the questions MPs said he'd previously evaded.
Leafs star Auston Matthews finishes season with 69 goals
Auston Matthews won't be joining the NHL's 70-goal club this season.
Trump lawyers say Stormy Daniels refused subpoena outside a Brooklyn bar, papers left 'at her feet'
Donald Trump's legal team says it tried serving Stormy Daniels a subpoena as she arrived for an event at a bar in Brooklyn last month, but the porn actor, who is expected to be a witness at the former president's criminal trial, refused to take it and walked away.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
Doug Ford calls on Ontario Speaker to reverse Queen's Park keffiyeh ban
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is calling on Speaker Ted Arnott to reverse a ban on keffiyehs at Queen's Park, describing the move as “needlessly” divisive.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Woman who pressured boyfriend to kill his ex in 2000s granted absences from prison
A woman who pressured her boyfriend into killing his teenage ex more than a decade ago will be allowed to leave prison for weeks at a time.
Customers disappointed after email listing $60K Tim Hortons prize sent in error
Several Tim Horton’s customers are feeling great disappointment after being told by the company that an email stating they won a boat worth nearly $60,000 was sent in error.