Montreal Public Health Wants Quebec To Reopen Gyms Under Certain Conditions
The Direction Régionale de Santé Publique of Montreal (DRSP) claims that some red-zone restrictions have negative effects on the mental and physical health of citizens — so it's asking the provincial government to relax them, a DRSP spokesperson confirmed in a phone call.
Health officials are currently studying the recommendations listed in a 12-page document.
Among the recommendations, the DRSP — headed by Dr. Mylène Drouin — proposed reopening gyms and sports training centres for individual practice in Montreal. The DRSP did not promote reopening fitness centres for group classes.
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We're worried, the same way Dr. Drouin and others [are]. We are very worried about the perverse effects of confinement.
Dr. Horacio Arruda, in a press conference on November 5
The DRSP also requested the reopening of Montreal theatres, museums, and other cultural centres, such as The Biodôme, with a capacity of 25 people.
Another suggestion the DRSP made is allowing indoor gatherings between residents from two addresses.
It’s unclear whether Quebec will adapt red-zone restrictions based on the DRSP’s suggestions.
Premier François Legault reiterated today that single-person visits to Quebecers who live alone are currently permitted.
He also announced that his team is "evaluat[ing] the possibility of allowing meetings between two people in all cases."
In a press conference on November 4, Quebec public health director Dr. Horacio Arruda said reopening sectors prematurely still poses a high risk.
“On the one hand, we want to be more flexible to restore hope and predictability, but we generate so many cases that our care system is going [to suffer]," he said.
"Balance [...] is difficult, and there is no precise recipe.”
This article was originally published in French on Narcity Québec.