COVID-19 live updates: Wear a mask outside when you’re not sure of the rules, Legault says

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Updated throughout the day on Thursday, April 15. Questions/comments: ariga@postmedia.com

Top updates

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10:25 a.m.

Quebecers will not be penalized for filing taxes up to one month late, Revenu Québec says

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10:20 a.m.

John Abbott College nursing program graduate vaccinates Joe Biden

When Richard (Ric) Cuming was growing up in Montreal, he never dreamt he’d one day meet the President of the United States — let alone inject him with a potentially life-saving vaccine during a global pandemic.

Read our full story, by John Meagher.

10:20 a.m.

Brazil’s P1 variant is mutating and may become more dangerous, study suggests

Brazil’s P1 coronavirus variant, behind a deadly COVID-19 surge in the Latin American country that has raised international alarm, is mutating in ways that could make it better able to evade antibodies, according to scientists studying the virus.

Read our full story.

10 a.m.

Wear a mask outside when you’re not sure of the rules, Legault says

Premier François Legault is urging Quebecers to wear masks outside when they’re unclear on the rules.

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“If you’re not sure, wear a mask,” Legault said at a brief press conference today. “Be prudent. The UK variant is very contagious. It’s easier than ever to get COVID-19, even if you’re young.”

The comment came a day after Legault felt the need to post a Facebook message outlining changes to the province’s rules regarding the wearing of masks outdoors when people are out with people from different households.

It was the third time the province changed the rule in a week.

The premier told reporters today that he decided to post the message because the initial provincial directive could have been confusing and inconsistent.

Legault said that sometimes public health recommendations are “impossible” to apply.

“So then we have to adjust,” he added. “And we have to have a balance also. For example, it’s very important for me to see as many people playing tennis and gold outside. It’s good for the mental health.”

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Legault was asked if he thinks his credibility has taken a hit over the flip-flop.

“No, I think that Quebecers see that I’m doing my best,” Legault answered.

“I’ve tried to explain correctly all the measures. Of course, we have chosen to have more measures than Ontario. It’s more targeted to the needs of each region. When we need to make some adjustments, I’m doing that very fast. So I’m not perfect – like all Quebecers.”

Under the new rule, the obligation to wear masks only applies in situations when it may be difficult to respect a two-metre distance.

“In a situation where you are sure to always stay more than two metres away, such as tennis or golf, or sitting in a park, it is not necessary to wear the mask,” he said Wednesday.

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Legault said the mask rule would no longer apply to someone walking with a family member who is part of their bubble or to friends or romantic couples spending time outside.

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9:35 a.m.

Canada negotiating contracts to secure COVID-19 booster shots for next year: Anand

From The Canadian Press: 

Canada’s procurement minister says she is in the midst of negotiating new vaccine contracts to nail down supplies of vaccine booster shots if they’re needed next year.

“We are actively planning for 2022,” Anita Anand said in a recent interview with The Canadian Press.

She said Canada’s first priority remains getting doses now, and while the country remains well behind the United States, United Kingdom and several other countries, its vaccination pace has picked up significantly in the last month.

Canada expects to get every adult vaccinated fully — with both doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna or Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines or one shot of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson — by the end of September at the latest.

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Teenagers likely will be vaccinated by then as well, but vaccines for kids under 12 aren’t expected to be authorized until at least the fall.

Still, many experts believe additional booster shots are going to be necessary, either to remind the immune system what it needs to do, or protect against some new variants of the virus that causes COVID-19.

Most of Canada’s current vaccine suppliers are already testing new versions against variants, including Pfizer and Moderna.

9:30 a.m.

After strong start, demand for AstraZeneca vaccine in Montreal fizzles

Despite a marked drop in demand for the AstraZeneca vaccine in walk-in clinics across the island, Montreal’s public health director is pleased with vaccine rollout in the region and hopeful the current plateau in case counts will hold.

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Read our full story, by Michelle Lalonde.

9:30 a.m.

Rare post-COVID disease sending children to hospitals

Though she has never tested positive for COVID-19, doctors believe a 12-year-old Montrealer is most likely suffering from a rare, post-COVID syndrome seen in children called multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C).

Read our full story, by Jesse Feith.

9:30 a.m.

Quebec seniors’ minister makes an announcement

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9:25 a.m.

National Assembly can’t agree on motion denouncing Old Montreal vandalism

The four parties at the National Assembly were incapable of agreement Wednesday on a motion to condemn vandalism in the streets of Old Montreal last weekend.

Two motions were presented in the legislature, but neither were adopted because they failed to get unanimous consent.

Read our full story.

9:25 a.m.

Drouin hoping latest restrictions will help Montreal avoid lockdown

Montreal’s top health official said she’s hopeful the latest round of COVID-19 restrictions will help the city steer clear of another full lockdown over the coming weeks.

Read our full story, by Frédéric Tomesco.

9:25 a.m.

Quebec MP William Amos accidentally appears naked on camera in front of House of Commons colleagues

A Liberal MP caused quite the consternation in the House of Commons Wednesday when he appeared completely naked on camera during question period.

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Read our full story.

9:15 a.m.

Everything you need to know about getting COVID-19 vaccinations in Quebec

Local health authorities have set up mass vaccination sites across Montreal.

You can book appointments via the Clic Santé website or by phone at 1-877-644-4545.

Here are the nuts and bolts of getting vaccinated, by Katherine Wilton. Her guide includes the age groups targeted, how to book appointments, and addresses of vaccination centres.

Wondering if the vaccines are safe? Once vaccinated, can you disregard public health measures? Is vaccination mandatory? Read our FAQ, by Jason Magder.

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9:15 a.m.

Here’s where Montrealers can get tested today

Montrealers can be screened at test centres across the island.

You can check screening clinic wait times here.

8:45 a.m.

The situation across Canada

Here’s the rate of case growth per 100,000 people over the past seven days, via the federal government’s latest epidemiology update.

8:30 a.m.

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ariga@postmedia.com

Read my previous live blogs here.