Quebec's program to provide free COVID-19 tests at participating pharmacies will continue but not everyone gets access. The distribution of free tests will continue through March 31, 2024, but only for those people considered high-risk, the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (MSSS) announced on Monday, March 26.
Public health is officially recommending that Quebecers of all ages wear a mask in crowded public places, with the exception of schools and daycares, amid an uptick in viral diseases. Health Minister Christian Dubé made the announcement Wednesday.
Though masking in public has been a recommendation in some cases since the mandate ended, Quebec health experts are calling on the public to once again adopt the measure in light of an increase in the number of respiratory virus cases in children and crowding in pediatric emergency departments.
Interim National Public Health Director Dr. Luc Boileau will hold an 11 a.m. Quebec press conference Wednesday and is expected to confirm an end date for the province's mask mandate at least in most spaces. Multiple outlets report that Boileau is sticking to the May 14 deadline he tentatively set on April 28.
So Easter and Passover are on in Quebec this year. sort of. Maybe. At least it'll be better than last year. In a press conference on April 13 Dr. Luc Boileau dolled out what we know about the Omicron variant and Omicron BA.2 subvariant, then left it in the hands of Quebecers to make smart choices.