Students no longer required to wear face masks in class 'until further notice'
Students in elementary and secondary schools in orange zones are getting a break from mask wearing while in class as much of the province is hit with a heat wave.
In a news release issued Monday evening, Quebec’s ministry of health said face masks will not be mandatory in the classroom starting Tuesday following a decision from public health in the context of the high temperatures and the improving COVID-19 case numbers.
Students in orange zones will, however, have to continue wearing a face mask while in common areas, in corridors and during transportation to and from school.
This measure is already in effect in regions under the yellow and green alert zones.
When asked for how long this new measure will remain in place, a health ministry spokesperson wrote in an email to CTV News it will take effect "until further notice, depending on the prevailing epidemiological situation."
Montreal and Laval downgraded from red to orange zone on Monday as cases in those areas continue to improve.
Monday marked day one of a three-day heat wave sweeping Quebec, with temperatures approaching 40 C in Montreal with the humidity factored in.
Environment Canada is forecasting a high of 31 C in Montreal Tuesday, with a humidex at 39. A high of 28 C is expected on Wednesday.
With files from CTV Montreal's Tania Krywiak
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Boeing's financial woes continue, while families of crash victims urge U.S. to prosecute the company
Boeing said Wednesday that it lost US$355 million on falling revenue in the first quarter, another sign of the crisis gripping the aircraft manufacturer as it faces increasing scrutiny over the safety of its planes and accusations of shoddy work from a growing number of whistleblowers.