COVID-19: Quebec premier drops plan to tax people who are unvaccinated

Quebec to impose a tax on people who are unvaccinated from COVID-19 Plans for the tax were first brought to the table on Jan.

11, as pandemic-related hospitalizations fueled by a surge in cases linked to the Omicron variant threatened to overwhelm an already strained health network.At the time, Legault said the tax was under consideration due to the burden those who were unvaccinated were having on the health-care system.

How would Quebec’s tax on the unvaccinated affect vulnerable communities? He stated that while only 10 per cent of the eligible population was unvaccinated, they accounted for 50 per cent of hospitalizations.The about-face Legault said was made to avoid further dividing Quebecers and to maintain social peace.In addition to dropping the tax, Legault also announced the easing of some restrictions.He pointed to an improving situation in hospitals and the return of health workers for the move.“I am pleased to announce that on February 14, sports and artistic activities will reopen for adults for groups of up to 25 people,” he said. “Gyms and spas will also reopen at 50 per cent.”In the last week, he said the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations had dropped from 3,278 to 2,852, while the number of absentee health workers had gone down from 12,000 to 10,600.He warned however there’s a lot of catching up to do in terms of delayed surgeries and it’s necessary to move carefully.“We have to remain careful, but we also have to balance that with our mental health and with our social cohesion,” Legault said.The premier again insisted that the best way to accelerate the easing of restrictions was for people to get vaccinated.To date, only 61 per cent of adults have gotten a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.He.