North Shore Territory to Move into Orange Alert Level 3 at Midnight Tonight

Dr. Richard Fachehoun, medical specialist in public health and preventive medicine, and Mr. Dave Charlton, Regional Chief Pharmacist.

LOCAL NEWS - DECEMBER 16, 2020: NORTH SHORE – CISSS PRESS BRIEF COVERAGE

​A press briefing was held this afternoon by the Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux de la Côte-Nord (CISSS de la Côte-Nord) regarding the COVID-19 situation on the North Shore. The press briefing was led by Mr. Claude Lévesque, interim president and CEO of the CISSS de la Côte-Nord, Dr. Richard Fachehoun, medical specialist in public health and preventive medicine, and Mr. Dave Charlton, Regional Chief Pharmacist.

The North Shore territory will move into an orange alert level 3 tonight at midnight tonight for the period of time between Dec. 17 and Jan. 11, as the province's yellow zones will be upgraded to orange and orange zones to red — which is the highest alert level. Travel restrictions will apply within an orange zone, schools will be closed from Dec. 17th to Jan. 11th, multiple stores will be closed starting on December 25th, and telework is also recommended for office workers whose employer does not require their presence in office.

Regarding the travel restrictions, for the Lower North Shore and the other isolated regions such as Minganie and Caniapiscau, the entry protocol will now apply the same as the rest of Quebec. All visitors to the region will have to undergo a screening test upon arrival and undergo isolation. This rule will not apply for travel within the region.

The following orange alert level 3 information was taken from the Government of Quebec website, which can be found at www.quebec.ca/en/health/health-issues/a-z/2019-coronavirus/progressive-regional-alert-and-intervention-system/level-3-alert-orange/:

• During an orange alert level, you are asked to avoid unnecessary social contact, for example: gatherings with family or friends, weddings, etc. 
• At home (house and cottage) indoors or outdoors, or private indoor or outdoor gatherings a maximum of 6 people is allowed.
• Travel between regions and cities is not recommended.
• In CHSLD's, visit for humanitarian purposes and visits by informal caregivers who provide significant help are allowed.
• In Private Senior's Homes, a maximum of 6 people at a time are allowed in a rental unit, including the resident.
• Businesses, stores and boutiques are open, 1 person per household recommended, delivery services and help from loved ones preferred for people at high risk of complications.
• Restaurants can have a maximum of 6 people per table, alcohol sales end at 11 p.m, drinking ends at midnight.
• Activities organized in a public place; indoors and outdoors with a maximum of 25 people (rented rooms, festive events, weddings, professional or school celebrations, BBQs, picnics, etc.)
• For funerals, the maximum allowed is 25 people per room (excluding funeral workers and volunteers). Keeping an attendance record is strongly recommended.
• For places of worship, the maximum allowed is 250 people.

The CISSS de la is also actively preparing for the COVID vaccination campaign on the North Shore, stating that they want to be prepared to administer the vaccine to the population as soon as it is received, expecting approval in the coming days.

The CISSS de la Côte-Nord would like to remind the population that a telephone consultation service is available at all times. A qualified nurse or a social counsellor will answer the calls 7 days a week / 24 hours a day, through the Info Health/Info-Social programs, by simply dialing 8-1-1.


Abbygail Wellman
CFBS Journalist