Quebec set to follow Ontario’s lead

Legault announces province will begin loosening some of its COVID-19 restrictions next week

The Quebec government announced the loosening of some COVID-19 restrictions Tuesday, following the lead of Ontario and other provinces amid indications the Omicron surge may be peaking in some areas.

Quebec Premier François Legault said the province would adopt a goslow approach, which will see gathering limits raised on Monday for private functions, as well as the reopening of restaurants at 50 per cent capacity and a resumption of some sports activities for those under 18. Other restrictions will be eased for religious, entertainment and sports venues Feb. 7.

“We are all aware that a lot of Quebecers are fed up, they’re fed up with the restrictions. It’s been 22 months,” Legault told a news conference in Montreal. But he added any reopening has to be cautious and gradual. “We have to take it easy,” he said.

Last Thursday, the Ontario government confirmed it would start easing health protection orders by boosting the size of social gatherings and reopening businesses such as restaurants, gyms and cinemas with capacity limits — part of a plan to lift all constraints by mid-March.

Premier Doug Ford said the phased reopening was in response to public health indicators showing “that the worst is behind us.” The premier pointed to a reduced rate of hospital admissions and a declining percentage of positive COVID-19 tests.

The number of people with the virus in Ontario hospitals, however, went up Tuesday to 4,008 from 3,861 on Monday. The number of people in intensive care also rose slightly to 626 from 615 — and the province reported 64 new deaths.

In Quebec, health officials reported 85 more deaths linked to COVID-19, and the province’s Health Department reported hospitalizations fell by 21, to 3,278. The number of people in intensive care remained unchanged at 263.

Meanwhile, GoFundMe has frozen the $4.2 million raised over the past 11 days by organizers of a truckers protest calling for an end to vaccine mandates for truck drivers who cross the Canada-U.S. border.

GoFundMe has said the money will remain locked until it receives documentation about distribution of the cash.

The western separatist Maverick Party set up the GoFundMe page, saying the money would be used to cover the cost of accommodation, food and fuel for trucks taking part in the “Freedom Convoy,” which is expected to arrive in Ottawa this weekend. The convoy set off from Vancouver on Sunday and passed through Regina late Monday with 1,200 rigs joining the procession, according to police.

Under new rules, Canadian truckers must be fully vaccinated if they want to avoid a 14-day quarantine when they cross the border from the United States.

We are all aware that a lot of Quebecers are fed up, they’re fed up with the restrictions.

FRANÇOIS LEGAULT QUEBEC PREMIER