The rationale for avoiding contacts for seven days before and after the four-day window has to do with the typical incubation period for the COVID-19 virus, government public health experts said Friday. The government is asking Quebecers to limit the number of gatherings they attend, and to remain vigilant in terms of respecting public health measures. We asked medical experts for their views on the province's guidelines, and their own recommendations for the holidays. The most recent projections from Quebec's public health institute, the INESSS (Institut national d'excellence en santé et en services sociaux) found that hospitals would not exceed capacity in the next four weeks. "If we allow ourselves to have large gatherings over the holidays, the health system will be overwhelmed in January," she said.

Source: CBC News November 20, 2020 10:14 UTC