Quebec announces plan to drop vaccine passport by March 14
CBC
Quebec will drop the vaccine passport by March 14, the government announced Tuesday.
Health Minister Christian Dubé made the announcement at a news conference Tuesday, saying the COVID-19 situation in the province has improved enough to gradually ease the measure.
As of Wednesday, Quebecers will no longer need to show a vaccine passport to enter liquor and cannabis stores as well as larger retail outlets, the government has announced.
As of Feb. 21, the passport will no longer be required in places of worship or at funerals.
By March 14, the passport will be phased out entirely, including for restaurants, gyms and long-term care homes. Dubé said the change will coincide with the arrival of the first COVID-specific antiviral treatments in the province.
Dubé had previously said there were no plans to lift mask mandates or the vaccine passport before March 14.
Today's announcement is the latest in a series of reopening steps made by the province in recent weeks, as the province steadily eases back restrictions meant to combat the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
Masks will still be required in all public indoor spaces.