As of February 8th, some of the measures which have been in place for the last four weeks have been lifted. However, for those in Red Zone regions, the measures have not changed significantly.

Red Zone regions now include:

  • Montréal
  • Laval
  • Laurentides
  • Lanaudière
  • Montérégie
  • Capitale-Nationale
  • Chaudière-Appalaches
  • Mauricie-et-Centre-du-Quebec
  • Estrie
  • Outaouais

The following regions have moved to Orange Zone:

  • Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine
  • Bas-Saint-Laurent
  • Côte-Nord
  • Abitibi-Témiscamingue
  • Nord-du-Québec
  • Saguenay – Lac-Saint-Jean

Below is a summary of the new measures in effect.  The measures appearing in bold represent changes effective February 8, 2021:

Curfew

  • Red Zone:  Remains in effect from 8 p.m. – 5 a.m.
  • Orange Zone:  Now 9:30 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Gatherings in homes

  • Red Zone:  Remain prohibited, except that one visitor is allowed to provide a service, offer support or visit a person living alone.
  • Orange Zone:  Same as Red Zone.

Activities in public spaces

  • Red Zone:  Remain prohibited, except for civil funerals, which are limited to a maximum of 25 people.
  • Orange Zone:  Same as Red Zone.

Places of Worship

  • Red Zone:  Remain open for a maximum of 10 people, except for funerals, which can have a maximum of 25 people in attendance.
  • Orange Zone:  Now open for a maximum of 25 people at any religious gathering.

Restaurants

  • Red Zone:  Remain closed, with the exception of delivery, door pick-up (new), and drive-through services.
  • Orange Zone:  Now open with a maximum of 2 adults per table plus children under the age of 18. Restaurants must keep an attendance register and may only admit residents of the area with proof of same. Reservations are mandatory with the exception of fast food.

Bars

  • Red Zone:  Remain closed.
  • Orange Zone:  Same as Red Zone.

Museums (including museum institutes, biodomes, planetariums, insectariums, botanical gardens, aquariums, zoos and walkthroughs)

  • Red Zone:  Now open, in compliance with the measures in force.
  • Orange Zone:  Same as Red Zone.

Movie theatres

  • Red Zone:  Remain closed.
  • Orange Zone:  Open as of February 26th, in compliance with the measures in force, including mandatory  surgical masks.

Auditoriums

  • Red Zone:  Remain closed.
  • Orange Zone: Venues with fixed and numbered seating may open as of February 26th, in compliance with the measures in force including mandatory surgical masks.

Libraries

  • Red Zone:  Now, open to all (no longer just students).
  • Orange Zone:  Same as Red Zone.

Sports and recreation

  • Red Zone:  Indoor activities remain prohibited. Outdoor activities now permitted, limited to a group of 4 people, including for lessons, in which case an instructor may add themselves to the group. People living at the same address may form a group of more than 4 people, but cannot join a group of people living at another address.
  • Orange Zone:  Indoor activities permitted for one or two people or a family group (living at the same address), including for lessons, in which case an instructor may add themselves to the group.  Outdoor activities permitted, limited to a group of 8 people, including for lessons.

Telework

  • Red Zone:  Remains mandatory for all, where possible.
  • Orange Zone:  Same as Red Zone.

Non-priority retail services and personal care services

  • Red Zone:  All non-priority businesses may now re-open, including personal care services, with restricted capacity. Shopping malls may re-open with suitable supervision of public areas to prevent gatherings and loitering.
  • Orange Zone:  All businesses may now re-open, including personal care services, with restricted capacity. Shopping malls may re-open with suitable supervision of public areas to prevent gatherings and loitering.

Primary and secondary schools

  • Red Zone:  School attendance remains on alternate days for students in Secondary 3 to 5 with mandatory surgical masks for all.
  • Orange Zone:  Same as Red Zone.

Higher Education

  • Red Zone:
    • All teaching activities, including theoretical courses, can now be offered in person provided that occupancy does not exceed 50%. No occupancy limit will be imposed for practical teaching activities and evaluations.
    • 5 metre distance must be maintained between students when seated in class and 2 metres in all other situations.
    • Students must wear a surgical mask at all times except: (1) during instructional activities that involve singing, the use of wind instruments, drama, physical activity, etc.; (2) while eating; and (3) during oral presentations.
    • Instructional group activities are permitted for a maximum of 6 students, keeping a physical distance of 2 meters and wearing surgical masks for: (1) team work, for example in group work spaces in libraries; (2) studying; (3) remote courses with classmates in a room; and (4) attending knowledge enrichment activities.
  • Orange Zone:
    • All teaching activities, including theoretical courses, can now be offered in person.
    • 5 metre distance must be maintained between students when sitting in class and 2 metres in all other situations.
    • Students must wear a surgical mask at all times except: (1) during instructional activities that involve singing, the use of wind instruments, drama, physical activity, etc.; (2) while eating; and (3) during oral presentations.
    • Compliance with Orange zone guidelines for other living environments on institutional campuses.

Private seniors’ residences

  • Red Zone:  Dining rooms remain closed, except with authorization from the CISSS or CIUSSS, with strict sanitary measures. Exceptions permitted only for: (1) residences where the operator shares their home with residents; and (2) residences where the residents need supervision or assistance to eat.
  • Orange Zone:  Dining rooms open, in compliance with strict sanitary measures (more details to follow).

In accordance with the reopening of non-essential businesses, the CNESST has made available a new toolkit to help employers ensure compliance with the newest directives. Access the toolkit.