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Legault made the announcement at the start of his 5 p.m. It expects to vaccinate 250,000 people by early February, when news conference . Legault plans to lift some of the lockdown measures. Those include all those living in long-term care homes and more than The measures include: half the province’s health-care workers. By the middle of February, Quebec expects to be vaccinating A provincewide curfew from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. people over 80 in the general population. The fine for breaking curfew will be $1,000 to $6,000. Parents worry about extending school closures contributed to the spread of the virus. Non-essential businesses will be closed but curbside pickup Many students have still not caught up after last year’s lockdown “There’s data that shows schools are important contributors will be allowed. As Quebec COVID-19 cases continue to soar, the government toward community transmission and outbreaks, and have we is imposingnew measures to slow contagion. Among them: done a full measure of restrictions when it comes to schools? Restaurants, gyms and theatres will be closed. keeping schools closed for a week longer than what was planned Clearly we haven’t,” Oughton said. before holiday break. Last summer, the province’s plan to send students back to Elementary schools will open as planned on Jan. 11, but In December, with COVID-19 cases rising, Quebec ordered school did not include masks, except for some staff. children in Grade 5 and 6 will be required to wear a mask. all schools to stop in-person attendance until Jan. 11, with the That changed in August, when students in Grade 5 and up were exception of specialized schools for vulnerable students. told they would be wearing masks when moving around the High schools will remain closed for another week, opening Throughout the pandemic, the value of distance learning has school, but not in class. But by October, in red zones, all high Jan. 18. divided educators and parents alike. school students were wearing masks in classrooms. Heidi Yetman, the president of the Quebec Provincial “Even if there have been a certain level of restrictions, it hasn’t Libraries will be open to those who want to study there. Association of Teachers, which represents 8,000 English- been enough to really get this back down under control,” Oughton language teachers, says students are still catching up on their said. “It certainly leads to a large degree of frustration. People Grocery stores and depanneurs will close at 7:30 p.m. studies after last spring’s lockdown. are saying, ‘Well, look. We’ve been doing this for so long, how “For some students, it’s almost as if they didn’t go to school at all come it’s not working?’” The premier had been reluctant to close schools and businesses last year,” Yetman said. “Students are behind, and this pandemic On Monday evening, the English Parents’ Committee despite growing concern from health experts, saying he wants will affect students for years to come.” Association (EPCA) of Quebec launched an online survey to to protect families and the economy. assess whether parents preferred their kids to continue distance But the rising daily case count and the increasing number of Mixed messages learning. hospitalizations prompted the government to change course. Infectious diseases specialist Dr. Matthew Oughton says incon- Out of the more than 5,000 responses, 62 per cent were in New restrictions were put into effect over the Christmas break, sistent health guidelines, such as the different rules about masks favour of extending online learning beyond Jan. 11, according shutting schools and all non-essential businesses until Jan. 11, in schools — a vivid example of how policies have shifted — have to EPCA president Katherine Korakakis. New federal rule on COVID-19 tests for air passengers From now on, all travellers must show a nega- To account for PCR testing limitations in further assessment. seas without timely access to a PCR test. tive PCR test before boarding a plane destined some countries, travellers departing from the For now, travellers will not be required to get Hajdu said the government knows it may be for Canada Caribbean or South America can use tests a molecular PCR test from certain companies difficult for some returning Canadians to get a Since this Wednesday at midnight, all trav- conducted within 96 hours of departure (instead or laboratories, but Transport Minister Marc test within that 72-hour window. ellers returning to Canada by air from abroad of 72 hours) until Jan. 14. Garneau said the government may eventually “This is exactly why we’re advising people to must produce evidence of a negative COVID-19 The testing requirement is in addition to the limit the range of tests it accepts. not travel internationally. It is difficult to acquire test before boarding their flights. existing mandatory 14-day quarantine period Garneau acknowledged that testing require- a PCR test in countries that you wouldn’t Every traveller over the age of five must show for returning travellers. The travel restric- ments will lead to “inconvenience” and “frustra- suspect. It’s very important people resist the a negative test result from a polymerase chain tions on most foreign nationals also remain tion” for some travellers but said it’s necessary urge to travel internationally unless absolutely reaction (PCR) test administered in the 72 hours in place. to prevent further importation of the virus from essential to do so,” she said. before their flight’s departure. Some temporary Upon arrival in Canada, all travellers will be other countries. The temporary ban on flights from the United exemptions have been introduced for travellers questioned by Canada Border Services Agency “The COVID-19 pandemic is far from over. We Kingdom will end tonight now that this new from St. Pierre and Miquelon and Haiti. (CBSA) officers about their quarantine plans. need to continue to be vigilant, and we need to testing regime is in place, Garneau confirmed. The test must be conducted before boarding The government said today CBSA officers will continue to take action to reduce the risks of In response to news of a more contagious the plane, in the flight’s country of origin. Other now apply “greater scrutiny” to these plans to spreading the virus by air travel,” Garneau said. strain of COVID-19 in that country, the types of tests — such as rapid antigen tests improve compliance. Garneau, Health Minister Patty Hajdu and federal government restricted all flights from — will not be accepted. The government has Border officers will also screen for sick passen- Foreign Affairs Minister François-Philippe the U.K. last month. That ban will end now that 2021 / January 8, 2021 • 8 janvier, directed airlines to turn away travellers who do gers and refer those who appear to be ill to Champagne stressed that Canadians should this new mandatory testing regime is in place not present a test result at the time of boarding. Public Health Agency of Canada officials for shun travel abroad to avoid getting stuck over- for all travellers entering from all countries. ALARM SYSTEM INSTALLATION + 12 MONTHS MONITORING! 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