Dr Poirier particularly fears the crowds of dozens of people around the giant screens that will be installed in several cities.
If it’s outside and there is ventilation, more people can come, concedes the director of public health.
He believes that wearing a mask will be appropriate, even outdoors, because of the large number of supporters who are likely to be gathered. The cries and outbursts of joy that are inevitable may promote transmission of the virus.
You can’t kiss 1000 people at the same time. In the euphoria, we should not forget all the measures that have protected us.
Alain Poirier therefore calls on hockey fans to maintain a sense of restraint, especially if they get together to listen to the games.
Several relaxations are added with the transition to the green zone
The relaxations associated with the transition to the green zone on Monday will allow more followers to meet. By respecting the rules in force, Alain Poirier, believes that small gatherings of ten people are not to be feared, especially if citizens get their two doses of vaccines.
A variant that is twice as transmissible on the prowl
What worries Alain Poirier the most is the presence of the Delta variant, first observed in India.
In Quebec, it is not yet very invasive, but in England, the majority of cases are of this new, more transmissible strain., he emphasizes.
Alain Poirier recalls that this variant is transmitted twice as quickly and hospitalizations are also increased.
With just one dose of the vaccine, the protection is not as good as the other strains we had before.
He nevertheless points out that only a handful of cases of the Delta variant have been reported in Quebec and that by exercising caution, it is still possible to avoid a fourth wave.
