Quebecs are expected to make masks mandatory on school campuses and announce new sports restrictions in red zones

In an effort to control that spread, at a news conference at 1pm local time, Education Minister Jean-Franకోois Roberz is set to announce mandatory masks on school campuses for students in grades 4 to 11 and close gyms and ban team sports. .

Greater Montreal, Quebec City and Chowder-Appalachచs were designated as Red Zones under the province’s COVID-19 warning system last week. By midnight on Monday, Three towns in the Gaspe region Join them.

Currently, students are required to wear a mask when walking indoors, in hallways, and on the school bus. But, since school reopened before this fall, health officials have noticed that it is difficult for students to respect their classmates while on school campus, Radio-Canada reports.

In recent months, the government has repeatedly Fall under fire Not to make masks mandatory inside classrooms, but that rule does not seem to be changing yet.

Some class sizes are reduced

Education Minister Jean-Franకోois Roberz also hopes to reduce the size of some class groups and reduce the time they spend in class by adding additional online exercises. This measure specifically targets students in grades 10 and 11.

When it comes to school sports activities, they are organized on the condition that all students stay in the same groups for their classes.

Jacques-Rousseau High School on the south coast of Montreal was closed for two weeks on Monday as COVID-19 spread among its staff and students.

Eighteen students and three staff members from 13 different classes have so far tested positive for COVID-19, health officials told reporters.

Last week, Gerard-Phillian High School Closed for two weeks Following the outbreak involving at least 26 students and seven staff.

Individual classes at CEGEPs and universities will be discontinued

All individual courses at CEGEPs and universities are also officially discontinued in the Red Zones.

Most schools have decided to move their semesters online, but some activities, such as labs, are allowed. With the new rules, all activities will be discontinued.

Gyms are closed and team sports are banned

Quebec is also rejecting its original decision to keep gyms open in the Red Zones.

According to Radio-Canada, all gyms and indoor sports facilities close their doors because it is difficult to find public contacts in these areas.

Team sports are also expected to be banned today, but all individual or paired sports, such as running, will be held.

The COVID-19 app is coming to Quebec

After months of discussion and hesitation, Health Minister Christian Dubey said last week He is in the process of finalizing details about receiving the federal application, the COVID alert, which notifies users when they have had a long association with those who tested positive for COVID-19.

At a special news conference at 5 p.m., Premier Franకోois Legalt is expected to formally launch the app at a news conference this evening, in an effort to control the rise in cases.

See | What you can and cannot do in Quebec’s red zones:

Most Quebecs now live in the Red Zone, but what does that mean? 3:16