DO'S AND DON'TS OF SHUTDOWN
What the ` holiday pause' entails
On Friday, non-essential businesses in Quebec will close as the province enters what Premier François Legault has called a needed “holiday pause” to curb the spread of COVID-19.
The restrictions come as Quebec battles a worsening second wave of COVID-19 infections, recording roughly 2,000 cases a day while hospitalizations continue to climb.
Legault has said the current situation is not sustainable and the lockdown is needed to protect the province's health-care network from becoming overwhelmed.
“But there's something we can't really control: what's going to happen in houses,” Legault said during a news conference Tuesday. “Please, follow the rules and don't invite friends into your home.”
Here's what the partial lockdown, in effect until Jan. 11, will mean for those spending the holidays in Quebec, as explained by the province's health department.
Q What will be closed as of Friday?
A All businesses deemed non-essential will need to close, including retail stores, personal care and beauty care salons. Grocery stores, drugstores, hardware shops and pet shops will remain open, as will the province's liquor (SAQ) and cannabis (SQDC) stores.
Professional health-care services, such as dentists or physiotherapists, will also remain open. Big-box stores can remain open, but are only allowed to sell essential goods.
Q What about schools and daycares?
A Daycares will be open, but families are asked to keep their children home as much as possible. Distance learning services will be provided for preschool, elementary and high school students until Jan. 10.
Q Are private gatherings allowed?
A All indoor gatherings in red zones are prohibited. Gatherings of six people at most are allowed in orange zones.
Q Can you join your family if you live alone?
A A person who lives alone can join another family's bubble as many times as they want, but it must always be the same bubble. That also extends to single-parent families with one or more children.
Q Can you see your family members outdoors?
A The provincial government has loosened restrictions on outdoor gatherings over the holidays.
Groups of up to eight are allowed to gather in outdoor public spaces, as long as they're doing activities that require them to move. Bringing lawn chairs to a park, for instance, is not allowed.
All gatherings on private properties, such as in people's backyards, are banned.
Group sports, fitness training and guided activities are allowed in groups of eight with one supervisor or instructor. People who are at higher risk of complications should not participate.
Outdoor activities are also allowed at museums and zoos, as well as at the Montreal Botanical Garden, which recently reopened.
In Montreal, Mayor Valérie Plante has urged people to avoid the city's more popular parks and head to their local parks instead to prevent overcrowding.
The city has announced 26 “winter stations” where people can spend time outdoors. The list of locations can be found at montreal.ca.
Q What about long-term care centres and private seniors' homes?
A Seniors living in long-term care facilities (CHSLDS) in red zones will be permitted to receive visits, but only from their regular caregivers.
Visits will be limited to one per 24 hours and caregivers need to book the appointment beforehand. Residents will not be allowed to leave the facility.
People who live alone in private seniors' homes will be allowed to visit one other household. When they return to their seniors' home, however, they will have to isolate in their rooms for seven days.
Q Can we still exchange gifts?
A Since indoor gatherings are banned, any in-person exchanging of gifts between people who don't live together would need to happen outdoors.
That said, the act of giving someone a gift in itself doesn't represent a high risk of spreading COVID-19, the health ministry says, as long as the usual measures are applied.
Those include washing your hands before and after handling the gift, keeping two metres apart and wearing a mask.
Q Can you still get takeout?
A Yes, restaurants are still open for takeout. Stores selling essential goods can also do curbside pickup.
Q Can you rent a cottage?
A People who live in a red zone are asked not to rent a cottage in orange zones. Those living in lower-level alert zones are encouraged to rent places nearby, as travelling between regions is still discouraged.
You can find more information on the restrictions in effect at quebec.ca/coronavirus.