Recap
As of February 28, 2022, bars, casinos and taverns were permitted to reopen with capacity limits. Capacity limits also remained for certain businesses, including restaurants, very large cinemas, performing arts venues and sporting events and vaccine passports were still required for most non-essential businesses. Remote working has not been mandatory since February 28, 2022 although a hybrid method continues to be recommended.
The Québec government has now announced its decision to phase out most of the remaining restrictions as set out below.
Note that the March 14, 2022 date for lifting certain restrictions has been advanced to March 12, 2022.
March to May 2022 Reopening Plan
The information set out here is based upon the Government's summary of the restrictions. The main changes announced include the future elimination of mandatory masking and capacity limits.
Note that the Government provides a chart summarizing the restrictions and dates for lifting them.
Detailed Information
Since October 2020, the Government of Québec has tightened and loosened restrictions on businesses as COVID-19 cases have increased and diminished. Most of the restrictions on businesses were lifted in November 2021 throughout Québec (with continuing special measures in force in Terres-cries-de-la-Baie-James and in Nunavik). Certain business closures and restrictions were reimposed in December and January, but those began to be lifted in February. Now all businesses have been permitted to reopen and capacity limits and vaccine passports are to be eliminated by the middle of March 2022.
Québec's public health state of emergency continues to be extended (currently to March 11, 2022) by the Québec Minister of Health and Social Services, who is empowered under this order to take measures necessary to protect public health.
The recommended measures for workplaces throughout Québec are established by the Commission des normes, de l'équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (see the summary of workplace measures and the CNST's plan for loosening workplace measures (available in French only)).
Rapid antigen tests for personal use are available at no cost, with limits on the number of tests each person may obtain. Here is more information on testing.
This post highlights the restrictions on business and will be updated as Québec's pandemic response evolves. See the Government's summary of the restrictions on other activities such as education, sports and meetings, among others (click on headings on the left).
Vaccine Passports (Phasing out in March 2022)
Since September 1, 2021, Québec has required a vaccination passport to gain access to non-essential activities and businesses for everyone 13 and older. Here is the full list of places and activities requiring the vaccine passport and the dates when this requirement will be lifted. The vaccine passport indicates that a person is " adequately protected" against COVID-19 and allows those aged 13 and up to gain admittance to certain locations and non-essential activities where the risk of transmission is considered to be higher. Photo ID is required.
The passport is not required for access to essential services such as education (primary, secondary or post-secondary) or for museums and libraries.
As of March 12, 2022
- the vaccination passport will no longer be required for Québec businesses except for international travel and places and activities regulated by federal authorities.
Mandatory Masking (Phasing out mid-April to May 2022)
No later than mid-April
- End of the obligation to wear a mask in all public places (except public transport)
At the earliest in May
- End of the obligation to wear a mask in public transport
Restrictions: Before and After March 12, 2022
See the Government's full Summary of all the Restrictions.
All Businesses
As of March 12, 2022
- no mandatory vaccine passport
Restaurants, Bars, Taverns and Casinos
Current restrictions (until March 12, 2022)
Restaurants
- open at 50% capacity
- mandatory vaccine passport
- limit of 4 persons or the occupants of 2 residences at a table
- midnight closing and food and beverage sales to cease at 11 p.m.
- 1m distance between tables
- reservations for social activities such as receptions, banquets permitted with vaccine passport and for groups of no more than 50 people
Bars, taverns and casinos
- mandatory vaccine passport
- open at 50% capacity; patrons to remain seated
- 1 a.m. closing with food and beverage service to end at midnight
Remaining restrictions lifted (as of March 12, 2022)
Restaurants, Bars, Taverns and Casinos
- no capacity limits including tables
- normal business hours: no mandatory closing time
- self-service buffets allowed
- dancing and karaoke activities allowed
Recreational and tourist places
Current restrictions (until March 12, 2022)
Biodome, planetariums, insectariums, Botanical Gardens. aquariums, zoos, recreation centres (arcades, water parks, amusement centres and amusement parks, and other thematic sites), bowling alleys and similar games/activities, Indoor billiards, darts and similar games/activities
- open at 50% capacity
- mandatory vaccine passport
- mandatory masks indoors
Remaining restrictions lifted (as of March 12, 2022)
All recreational and tourist places
- no capacity limits
Movie theatres and rooms or halls for performing arts, including broadcast venues
Current restrictions (until March 12, 2022)
- fewer than 10,000 attendees: no capacity limit
- more than 10,000 attendees: open at 50% capacity
- mandatory vaccine passport
- no intermission
- outdoor: maximum 5,000 people
Remaining restrictions lifted (as of March 12, 2022)
- dance floors open
- no capacity limits
Saunas, spas, gyms
Current restrictions (until March 12, 2022)
- open at 50% capacity
Remaining restrictions lifted (as of March 12, 2022)
- no capacity limit (respect for distancing)
Rented Halls (private gatherings)
Current restrictions (until March 12, 2022)
- mandatory vaccine passport
- 50 person maximum
Remaining restrictions lifted (as of March 12, 2022)
- no capacity limit (respect for distancing)
Nunavik and Terres-cries-de-la-Baie-James
For information about the measures in force in Nunavik and Terres-cries-de-la-Baie-James, consult the websites of the Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services and the Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay.
Going Forward
As set out here, the Government of Québec has lifted many of the COVID-19 restrictions in place and intends to lift most of those remaining in the coming months. It will, however, continue to monitor the situation closely. This post is updated regularly when the Government rules are modified.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
