By Avleen K Mokha
Key updates from today’s press briefing on the coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency:
- Seniors in long term care make up most of the new recorded deaths, 72 of 75 new deaths
- 11,000 employees are missing in the healthcare system
- Government calls members from the public join workers at long term facilities through their website
- Elementary schools still set to open on May 19 in Greater Montreal, on May 11 outside Greater Montreal
- Quebec premier says school boards don’t have the authority to stay closed. On Friday, Quebec English School Board Association (QESBA) said that they feel it is too early to re-open safely.
- Teachers are allowed to wear masks; provincial Director of Public Health Dr Horacio Arruda says government will discuss the possibility of supplying protective equipment to teachers and staff
- Re-opening of retail stores in the Greater Montreal region is postponed by 1 week from May 11 to May 18
- Data from screening in Park Extension and Montreal North regions will be analysed to determine the spread of the virus. A drop-in clinic is set up to test local residents in Saint Michel, close to Park Extension.
- Province does not plan to loosen restrictions on restaurants for the short term
- Construction work will continue as planned
