New COVID-19 mask rules coming to many of Quebec's elementary schools
Starting Monday, there will be new rules for children in many of Quebec's elementary schools, as part of an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19 in that age group.
According to Quebec's health ministry, masks for children aged four and five will now be mandatory on school buses, if older children are present.
In addition, during indoor physical education classes, masks will be required when it is not possible to maintain a distance of two metres between students in grades one to six.
These changes are taking place in elementary schools in 10 regions of Quebec:
- Centre-du-Québec;
- Estrie;
- Lanaudière;
- Laurentides;
- Laval;
- Mauricie;
- Montérégie;
- Montreal;
- Outaouais;
- and the four MRCs of Chaudière-Appalaches (MRC des Appalaches, MRC de Robert-Cliche, MRC de Beauce-Sartigan and MRC des Etchemins).
Up until now, masks were only required from Grade 1 and up, including on school buses.
Children under the age of 12 are currently not eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.
However, federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu stated this week she expects a submission from Pfizer in the coming weeks for the use of the vaccine in children aged five to 11.
"We anticipate that we'll get a submission, hopefully in the early stages of October," she said on CTV's Power Play. "As soon as we receive the data from the company, the regulators are well-situated to rapidly review that data."
The changes in Quebec schools will take effect starting Monday, Oct. 4.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Western University researchers unlock potential 'cure' for ALS
New research out of London, Ont.'s Western University is shedding light on a potential cure for ALS, in which the targeting of the interaction between two proteins can halt or fully reverse the disease's progression.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
Kamala Harris drops F-bomb during White House live-stream
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris used a profanity on Monday while offering advice to young Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders about how to break through barriers.
B.C. man fighting for refund after finding someone living at Whistler vacation rental
Edwin Mostered spent thousands of dollars booking a vacation home in Whistler, B.C., for a group skiing trip earlier this year – or so he thought.
Avs forward Valeri Nichushkin suspended at least six months
Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin was suspended for at least six months without pay and placed in Stage 3 of the league's player assistance program.
Collapsed Baltimore bridge span comes down with a boom after crews set off chain of explosives
Crews conducted a controlled demolition Monday to break down the largest remaining span of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.
Security video caught admitted serial killer disposing of bodies in Winnipeg garbage bins
Security video caught admitted serial killer Jeremy Skibicki on multiple late-night outings, disposing of body parts in nearby garbage bins and dumpsters in the middle of the night.
Mortgage companies could intensify the next recession, U.S. officials warn
U.S. officials worry the next recession could be intensified by a cascading series of failures in the mortgage industry caused by crashing home prices, frozen financial markets and soaring delinquencies.