People aged 60-69 can go to work in Quebec schools

Province switched rule in face of overcrowding and staffing shortages

MONTREAL— Quebec is trying to reassure people between the ages of 60 and 69 that it is safe to go back to work at schools and daycares — a week after telling them to stay home.

Reopening schools and daycares is a major component of Quebec’s COVID-19 recovery strategy, as parents across the province gradually return to work in the retail, construction and manufacturing sectors.

But Quebec authorities have been sending mixed messages about the risk factors associated with age and complications from the coronavirus.

Just last week, the health and family ministers, along with Dr. Horacio Arruda, director of public health, issued a directive to workers in the province’s daycare network. It said workers who are pregnant, who have achronic illness or who are over 60 years old should not return to work.

The opposition Parti Québécois says the memo was issued on April 28.

On Wednesday, facing potential staffing shortages and overcrowding in schools and daycares, the government changed course.

“Public health authorities tell us that before the age of 70, it is possible to return to work without significant risk,” deputy premier Geneviève Guilbault told reporters in Quebec City. “All Quebec employers are asked to take this into account.”

She said she understood that certain teachers were anxious about returning to work next Monday when daycares and elementary schools open outside the greater Montreal area. Schools and daycares in Montreal are scheduled to reopen a week later. A major federation representing teacher and daycare worker unions, the Centrale des syndicats du Québec, said Wednesday “there is an urgent need for consistency” from the government.

Federation president Sonia Éthier said in a statement that “the government is squandering its efforts with instructions that no longer make sense to anyone.” She noted the government made the change following news reports of a potential shortage of staff when schools and daycares open next week.

“Are labour needs now taking precedence over the peoples’ health?” she asked.

As recently as Monday, Premier François Legault told reporters that children shouldn’t come into contact with grandparents older than 60.

Legault was not present at Wednesday’s briefing, but Arruda was asked whether the premier’s comments were in contradiction with the new guidelines.

“People will be wearing masks in daycares,” he responded, adding there will also be physical-distancing directives in place.

“And let’s be clear, we are talking about people who are healthy. If people have particular health conditions, it’s not the same thing.”