Quebec to allow gatherings of 20 people in homes starting Dec. 23
Just in time for the holidays, Quebec announced Tuesday it will allow private gatherings of up to 20 people in homes starting Dec. 23 in another easing of public health restrictions.
Currently, only 10 people from no more than three households are allowed in private homes.
Health Minister Christian Dubé made the announcement during a press conference Tuesday alongside Quebec's public health director, Dr. Horacio Arruda, who recommended the new measure. Dubé stressed, however, that public health "strongly recommended" that everyone gathering in homes be vaccinated.
Other public health restrictions previously announced, including wearing masks in public settings, remain in effect.
"Public health, however, asks us to continue to limit our contacts if we want to continue to control the virus," he told reporters Tuesday.
"For the moment," there is no end date for the new gathering limit and no immediate plans to reverse the regulation, Dubé said, though public health will monitor the situation.
So, why the change?
Arruda said there are a few reasons why he recommended a doubling of the private home gathering limit, the first of which is the stabilization of hospital cases in the last few weeks. While the number of new daily cases has exceeded 1,000 recently, hospitalizations have remained mostly stable.
There's also the good news that the new Omicron variant is not circulating locally in Quebec, apart from people who have recently travelled abroad, according to a "one-off survey" of cases from Nov. 30.
Another reason, cited by Arruda, was the results from a meeting on Monday night with public health officials on COVID-19 modelling in Quebec, which are expected to be released to the public on Thursday.
If people want to socialize with someone who is not vaccinated at a home gathering, Arruda recommended they follow existing public health measures, including wearing a face mask and physical distancing.
"We strongly recommend not to have unvaccinated people in those gatherings for obvious reasons," Dubé added.
MORE BOOSTER SHOTS
The province also announced Tuesday it will offer third "booster" shots of the coronavirus vaccine to health-care workers, people with chronic illnesses, people in remote communities and pregnant women -- about one million additional people -- as of Tuesday, and to people 60 and older in January. People 70 and older were already eligible to book an appointment for a booster shot.
The roll-out of booster shots to people 60 and older in the New Year will be done gradually:
- as of Jan. 4, 2022, people 65 to 69 can book an appointment
- as of Jan. 6, 2022, people 60 to 64 can book an appointment
Eligible people will still have to wait six months from their second dose before getting their booster shot. Appointments can be made by visiting the Clic Santé website.
Arruda said the evidence points to continued adequate immune response to the virus with two doses of the vaccine for people under 60 so, for the moment, boosters will be reserved for only people 60 and older.
The health minister said there are still 640,000 people in Quebec who are eligible to get a vaccine but are not yet vaccinated. About a month ago, that figure was slightly over 700,000.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Serial sexual offender linked to unsolved 1970s homicides of four Calgary girls, women
An investigation into unsolved historical homicides from the 1970s has linked the deaths of two girls and two young women in and around Calgary to a now-deceased serial offender.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
Toronto eliminated from PWHL playoffs
Toronto has been eliminated from the PWHL playoffs.
Information commissioner faces $700K funding shortfall, says system is 'overwhelmed'
Canada's information commissioner says her office is facing a $700,000 funding shortfall that could impact its ability to investigate complaints about government transparency and accountability.
B.C. man 'attacked suddenly' by adult grizzly near Alberta boundary: RCMP
A B.C. man is recovering from multiple injuries after he was "attacked suddenly" by an adult grizzly bear near Elkford Thursday afternoon.
Backlash over NFL player Harrison Butker's commencement speech has reached a new level
The NFL is distancing itself from controversial comments by Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker during a recent commencement address.
Dabney Coleman, actor who specialized in curmudgeons, dies at 92
Dabney Coleman, the mustachioed character actor who specialized in smarmy villains like the chauvinist boss in '9 to 5' and the nasty TV director in 'Tootsie,' has died. He was 92.
Craig Berube named as next head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have named Craig Berube as their new head coach.