At the weekly meeting between the region's MRCs and public health on Monday, the mayor of the Magdalen Islands asked that clear instructions be issued to govern inter-regional travel.

Currently, the government is asking, without explicitly prohibiting it, that residents of red zones not to travel to other regions. The Magdalen Islands is in an orange zone at the moment.

Jonathan Lapierre, mayor of the Islands, reminds us that public health already suggests observing an isolation period of 14 days upon arrival from a red zone. The same should be observed by any household receiving visitors from any red zones. 

Here is Jonathan Lapierre explaining the recommendations for those arriving from the Red Zone (French audio only):

On the other hand, Lapierre points out that essential workers, and those travelling for medical reasons, are not required to quarantine under the ministerial decree that governs the color levels, but that it is up to each individual to be reasonable, prudent and conscientious.

Jonathan Lapierre, mayor of the Magdalen Islands and president of the Maritime Community. Photo courtesy of CFIM.

The mayor reminds the population that the decree in place does, however, provide for fines for family gatherings that exceed the 10-person limit.

It is also suggested that students returning to their families on the Islands for the holidays limit their social contacts for 14 days before leaving.

Lapierre called on Health Minister Christian Dubé to officially recognize the Islands as a priority group for the national vaccination campaign.

Recent announcements by the Quebec Immunization Committee for vaccination against COVID-19 indicate that there is priority status for isolated communities, a status that could apply to the Islands, according to the Regional Director of Public Health Dr. Yv Bonnier Viger.

In a letter sent to the minister's office, Lapierre points out that the archipelago, surrounded by four Maritime provinces, is remote and isolated from the rest of the province of Quebec.

He also cites Decree 354-2016 of the Government of Quebec, recognizing the insular nature of the Magdalen Islands to support his request.

The regional public health department confirmed yesterday that the vaccination campaign should begin in early January in the Magdalen Islands, with the goal of offering the vaccine to the general population by the second half of spring.