Quebec Changing Self-Isolation Guidelines From 14 Days To 10 For Some Cases

MONTREAL — Quebec is reducing the mandatory isolation period required for people infected with COVID-19 from 14 days to 10.

The change was made in response to evolving science regarding the transmission and the duration of contagiousness of the novel coronavirus, the Health Department said Friday in a news release.

From now on, people can end their isolation period 10 days after their first symptoms appear, or 10 days after testing positive for COVID-19 if they don’t show symptoms.

Authorities added, however, that people must also meet other criteria to end their isolation, including having no fever for at least 48 hours, and having no symptoms for at least a day — other than coughing or loss of taste.

“Once the isolation period ends, people are no longer considered contagious, but they must ensure to follow the guidelines that apply to the general population such as hand-washing, wearing face coverings and physical distancing,” Public Health Director Horacio Arruda said in a statement.

When do the new rules apply?

The new rules apply only to confirmed COVID-19 cases involving people who are isolated at home and whose symptoms are considered mild or moderate. People who are in preventive isolation due to being in contact with a confirmed case must still isolate for 14 days to see if symptoms develop.

Those who are immunocompromised or who require hospitalization for COVID-19 will still need to isolate for at least 14 days.

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Other regions in Canada have advised similarly, including British Columbia, Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Northwest Territories. According to CBC, Canada’s chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam said the change aligns with health guidelines.

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The news comes as more than 20 teachers from a high school northwest of Montreal were sent into preventive isolation, forcing the school to ask some 500 Grade 10 and 11 students to stay home Friday because there was no one available to teach them.

Spokeswoman Anik Gagnon said the decision was made after two members of the teaching staff at Polyvalente Deux-Montagnes tested positive for COVID-19 prior to the first day of classes.

She said the students were asked to stay home until Monday while the school tries to recruit substitute teachers or explores other options to overcome the lack of personnel. The 20 teachers will be in isolation until Sept 4, and will all be tested for COVID-19.

Sylvain Mallette, president of a federation of teachers’ unions, the Federation autonome de l’enseignement, says the incident highlights the need for schools to have access to an accelerated testing process.

“The question is, how long did it take to get access to a test, and how long to get the results of the test?” Mallette said in an interview Friday.

He said the Quebec government hasn’t followed through on a promise to offer teachers quicker access to tests and to results.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 28, 2020.

With files from Rebecca Zamon