This morning, Quebec's public health director Horacio Arruda announced another phase of the province's deconfinement with the announcement that from June 22 onwards, indoor gatherings in public places of up to 50 people will be permitted.
This development from the government notes that a distance of 2 meters will be recommended between people, but there's one important thing to note: In places where gatherings are seated—classrooms in CEGEPS and universities, performances at Place des Arts and movie theatres were all given as examples in the government's announcement—there can be as little as 1.5 meters of distance between people. People performing on stage, however, would have to maintain a 2-meter distance from one another.
For those that might be thinking of trying to see a show or movie when these restrictions are lifted, high-traffic areas such as foyers for theatres or ticketing areas will still need to respect social distancing guidelines of 2 metres, and masks continue to be recommended by public health officials.
While this sounds like good news for venues where shows are held, Arruda and Quebec's senior public health advisor Richard Massé did not specify if these allowances could extend to places where shows take place—especially since bars have not been given an opening date in the province, let alone Montreal. When questioned on this discrepancy, Arruda and Massé left the matter undetermined for the time being.
With this, a gradual jumpstart to the cultural sector is expected in the province, but it's uncertain whether these changes to the government's current guidelines will affect whether or not classes will at all resume during their summer semesters, and whether or not (or how) movie theatres will open with adapted seating.
Most popular on Time Out
- Zoos, U-Pick farms, vineyards, and gardens across Quebec can all open as of next week
- Montreal's Botanical Gardens will reopen on June 15!
- Time to plan that dinner party: Indoor gatherings will be permitted in Quebec, with strings attached
- When will Montreal reopen? Here's what you can and can't do right now