Luc Boileau, Quebec director of National Public Health during a news conference on the COVID-19 pandemic, in Quebec City, on Nov. 3.Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press
Quebec is dropping the mandatory five-day isolation period for those who test positive for COVID-19, even as the province’s public health director urges people to take precautions to avoid seasonal viruses.
Dr. Luc Boileau said today that the province is strongly recommending that people stay home when sick and wear a mask as soon as flu-like symptoms appear.
Boileau said some COVID-19 indicators are improving, but the disease continues to circulate alongside other seasonal viruses, including some that primarily affect children.
However, he said the five-day COVID-19 isolation period is being dropped in favour of an approach that appeals to people’s common sense.
Those recommendations include staying home in case of fever, and wearing a mask in cases of cough, sore throat or nasal congestion.
Boileau said sick people are also asked to limit contacts with vulnerable people and work from home when possible.