In the face of a slew of new directives issued by the provincial government to help control the spread of COVID-19 at midday on Thursday, and the news of a case in the Estrie region late Wednesday, Estrie Public Health Director Dr. Alain Poiriersaid that the situation is being taken seriously by the healthcare network. “We are following the situation very closely,” Poirier said, reiterating Premier Francois Legault’s announcement that, effective immediately, all health, education, and daycare employees and volunteers who have been out of the country will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days. This period is being recommended for all those returning from international travel, although it is only a requirement for those directly involved with the public sector. The public health director also noted that the new ban on gatherings of 250 or more people in indoor spaces is only one of many more intense provisions allowed for by Quebec’s Public Health Act. He argued that although the move is disruptive, it is an important preventative step at this point. See full story in the Friday, March 13 edition of The Record.
