COVID-19 in Quebec: What you need to know Monday

• Quebec reported 123new cases of COVID-19 and two more deaths Monday. Since the start of the pandemic, there have been59,722 confirmedcases and 5,683 people have died.
• There are 172peoplein hospital (no change), including 18in intensive care (an increase of one). Here's aguide to the numbers.
• CBC Montreal is collecting stories from Quebecers who have recovered from COVID-19. If you would like to share your experience, pleaseget in touch.
• Having trouble keeping track of what has reopened?Consult our list.

As Quebecers return from vacation, the province's health minister is urging those who did not follow COVID-19 prevention guidelines while on holiday to get tested for the disease.

"If you know that distancing measures were not followed during your vacation, unfortunately you are at risk," said Health Minister Christian Dub at a news conference Monday afternoon.

WATCH |Dub says get tested if you were at risk of exposure while on vacation:

Quebecers urged to get tested for COVID-19

4 years ago

Duration 1:16

Quebecers coming back from vacation should get tested, even if they think the chance they've been infected is low, Health Minister Christian Dub says.

Starting today, Quebec is allowing indoor and outdoor public gatherings of up to 250 people.

Until now, only 50 people were allowed to gather at a time. The rule will apply to spaces such as movie theatres, sporting events and places of worship but not to private gatherings at homes, which are still limited to 10 people.

Dub said that "very strict standards" must be met for an indoor gathering of 250 people, which will be detailed later this week.

Dr. Horacio Arruda, the province's director of public health, said that the level of risk when indoors can varywidely, and that a large indoor public gathering is not necessarily riskier than other types of gatherings that are already allowed.

He said, for example, there would likely be a lower risk for 250 physically-distanced seated audience members at an opera in Place des Arts than a gathering at a private home where it is difficult to for people to leave space between each other.

"We don't hug much people when we are at an opera," he said.

In such gatherings, people are still asked to keep a safe distance and wear a mask meaning any upcoming wedding, bat mitzvah or other kind of event will feel quite different.

That fact is hurting owners of Quebec's reception halls and large indoor venues.

Top COVID-19 stories today

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• A study shows more than half of teenage Quebecers have been less active during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• No masks for students, for now: Quebec says it's sticking to its plan.
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