Primary and secondary schools will open on Monday January 17th as scheduled. Barring a last-minute turnaround, the curfew will also end at the same time, learned The newspaper.
• Read also: Return in attendance from January 17 in CEGEPs and universities
Prime Minister François Legault confirmed the return to class on January 17 on Wednesday evening, through a publication on social networks.
The new national director of public health, Dr Luc Boileau, has given the green light to the reopening of schools, as wished by the Prime Minister and several pediatricians.
Photo AGENCE QMI, MARIO BEAUREGARD
“If everyone does their bit, it will be fine and the children will regain their joie de vivre. We owe that to our children, ”said Mr. Legault.
Students must wear the mask at all times, including school transportation.
CEGEP and university students will also be able to return to class from January 17.
N95 masks
In the school network, N95 masks will be available for members of the staff of specialized schools who so wish.
Quebec is also working to extend the availability of N95 masks to other members of school staff and possibly to all those who wish to wear them, according to our information. This measure was demanded by several unions in particular.
A new health protocol will also be implemented in schools.
The isolation period for positive cases will be reduced from 10 to 5 days depending on certain conditions, and classes will no longer be systematically closed.
For their part, extracurricular activities will be suspended for “at least two weeks”, one indicates.
Lifting of the curfew
On the other hand, unless there is a change, the curfew imposed from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. since December 31 will also be lifted on Monday, several sources said.
According to a person familiar with the matter, the Legault government would now consider that the peak of the fifth wave has now been reached concerning hospital admissions due to COVID-19.
At the end of December, Prime Minister François Legault pledged to end the curfew, an “extreme” measure, he said, as soon as possible.
Expanded vaccination passport
Quebec also intends to continue to expand the application of the vaccine passport to more non-essential businesses to tighten the screws again on the unvaccinated.
After the SAQ, the SQDC and hair and beauty salons, proof of vaccination will eventually be required to enter Canadian Tire big-box stores.
Small businesses, which are generally less crowded with customers, would not be affected by this new measure, according to our information.
– With the collaboration of Sébastien Ménard
How will be managed COVID cases at school?
► A student who is positive for COVID-19 should isolate yourself for at least five days at home.
► If the student has not had a fever for at least 24 hours and their symptoms improve, he will be able to take a self-test after this five-day period.
- If the result is positive, he remains at home for an additional five days.
- If the result is negative, he returns to class wearing the mask like his classmates. As much as possible, he should maintain physical distancing from other people.
► These recommendations apply regardless of the child’s immunization status.
No more systematic group closings
Groups of students will no longer be systematically closed even if several cases are declared in the same class. Public Health now considers that a child should isolate himself only if he has been in contact with a positive person at home, and not at school, where the risks are considered less important because of the wearing of a mask.