May 14, the new target for the end of masks

Quebec’s director of public health has expressed confidence that the mask will be approved for use on May 14, while the final decision will come next week.

Read more: “We are perfect”: Health professionals support lifting the mask

Read more: Govit-19 in Quebec: The number of hospital admissions is still low

D.^R. Luc Boileau pointed out at a press conference today that the epidemic situation was improving and that the data were encouraging, but he wanted to be alert and wait a while.

“The final orientation of whether or not we will continue will be taken early next week,” he said.

Nonetheless, the doctor was optimistic that he would be “very confident” that the end of the mask could be announced on May 14th.

“Now, we do not see anything else that could thwart this intent of advancing towards removing the mask in mid-May,” he said.

The recommendation of the public health department will be submitted next Monday and the government will take the final decision on Tuesday.

“Reasonable decision”

Health professionals consider the timing and approve the decision.

“This is a decision that is still justified,” says microbiologist D^R. Carl Weiss.

“We opened the company in Quebec two or three months ago. We do not have a catastrophic situation where the health system collapsed,” he added.

But even if it falls in public places, the mask will still be mandatory on public transportation and in health facilities such as hospitals or CHSLDs where patients are “most at risk”.

Although the last major demographic action against COVID-19 will be withdrawn in the near future, the rules regarding isolation and the wearing of masks in the event of symptoms will remain the same.

Therefore, people infected with the virus should isolate themselves for five consecutive days and wear a mask for ten days.

• Listen to an interview with Mark Hamilton, Microbiologist and Chairman of Eurofins EnvironeX Group on QUB Radio:

A reflection

“The important thing is that those with symptoms and those with goiter continue to isolate themselves,” D explains.^R. Jean Langdin, Public Health Consultant.

“We want it to be a reflection. We have symptoms, we isolate ourselves. And the virus is not even a bar.”

From July 18, 2020, wearing a mask in public places has become mandatory in Quebec.

– In collaboration with Simon Belarzian

The evolution of mask wearing in Quebec

July 13, 2020

• Mandatory mask or mask on public transport and boats

July 18, 2020

• It is mandatory to wear a mask everywhere in closed public places in Quebec

September 12, 2020

• Beginning of criminal reports for refusing to wear a mask

October 8, 2020

• Mandatory mask everywhere in high school in areas in the red zone

January 11, 2021

• Compulsory mask in 5th grade^And And 6^And For beginner year and all students in the hallway

January 18, 2021

• Compulsory practical mask at all times in high school

March 8, 2021

• Mandatory mask for all first year students^D. At 6^And Year in class in the red zone

April 12, 2021

• Must wear a mask in class at all levels

April 14, 2021

• Mandatory mask for outdoor or indoor leisure or group sports activities

March 7, 2022

• The end of the compulsory mask for students in class

April 15, 2022

• The first scheduled date for wearing the mask has been postponed for two weeks

April 30, 2022

• The second scheduled date for wearing the mask was again postponed for two weeks

May 14, 2022

• The scheduled date of completion of the mask announced by D^R. Boyle on April 28th

Source: INSPQ