Coronavirus: Quebec eases physical-distancing measures in daycares

Social-distancing measures between toddlers in Quebec daycares will end next week, the provincial government announced on Thursday.

After getting the green light from public health, Quebec Minister of Families Mathieu Lacombe announced the decision on Thursday and said it was a step toward a return to normal for children amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.

“It wasn’t a very natural measures to be put in place,” said Yasmine Ghandour, director and co-founder of Ochard House preschool In Côte-Des-Neiges.

Getting rambunctious children to follow physical distancing rules was not an easy task, Ghandour added.

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As of Monday, children will, however, be separated in groups of 10 and the two-metre distancing rule will be applied between groups. The groups can share objects like books amongst themselves and children’s stuffies will also be allowed in daycares.

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Ghandour said the gradual increase of children going to daycare is necessary — it allows them to play and learn in groups.

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“From the children’s perspective it allows them to be the children that they are from the teachers perspective it allows them to lesson plan for groups as well.”

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As Per provincial guidelines,daycare workers are asked to keep wearing a face mask and visor to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

On Thursday Lacombe said reducing distancing measures between young children is beneficial for their social and emotional development.

“I think the timing is right,” Pediatric Emergency Physician Dr. Harley Eismen said.

With early studies showing COVID-19 poses a lower risk towards children’s health, Dr.Eismen said he believes the government is doing the right thing.

“I think we are gaining experience by looking at other countries and here at home,” Eismen said. “The curve is flattening across Quebec and Montreal.”

On Monday, daycare centres outside the greater Montreal area will also be able to accommodate 100 per cent of their capacity. For the greater Montreal region, daycares can operate at full capacity as of July 13.

— with files from Global News’ Alessia Maratta & Brayden Jagger Haines