COVID-19 Update | Gatherings and shotguns

Standing Committee of the Québec Golf Industry

UPDATE | Shotguns and Gatherings

Dear golf course owners and operators,

Following recent instructions from the Public Health Department (PHD), the Québec golf industry Standing Committee would like to clarify information on holding events including the possibility using a shotgun format as well as indoor and outdoor gatherings.

Shotgun starting times:

The Standing Committee reiterates that the Public Health Department and Dr. Arruda do not authorize the use of the shotgun format in golf events until the end of the 2020 season. However, crossovers are authorized.

General Guidelines Reminder:

Wearing a face covering is mandatory for people aged 10 and over (August 24) on public transport, in closed or partially covered public areas and in schools.
Hand-washing and other prescribed sanitary measures.
Social distancing.

Outdoor Public Areas:

Since August 5, 2020, the maximum number of people allowed in certain outdoor public spaces is limited to 250.
Event organizers must ensure that the capacity of the site allows a distance of two metres between people.
They must take action to inform participants that they must maintain such a distance from any other persons or gathered households.
They will also be responsible for ending the activity when compliance with the guidelines becomes impossible.

Indoor Public Areas (e.g. food and beverage services):

As of August 3, 2020, the maximum number of persons permitted in certain indoor public spaces is 250.
This measure applies to performance halls, theaters and cinemas, the public attending a production, amateur sports practices and events, places of worship, courtrooms and rented rooms, including community halls.
For other indoor venues where there is no limit on the number of people allowed, other rules influence their capacity such as the limit on the distance between tables in restaurants and the maximum number of people sitting at those tables.

Physical distancing in public areas:

As in other circumstances, a distance of 2 metres is required between people, both in indoor and outdoor public areas.
The distance of 1.5 metres between persons applies only in places where people are seated, relatively immobile and speaking very little or not at all, such as theaters, cinemas and audiovisual recording studios.
As with gatherings in private premises, physical distancing does not apply to persons from the same household.

In locations where there is increased traffic, such as common areas or line-ups, the distance between people will remain 2 metres. In these circumstances, the wearing of a mask or face covering is mandatory in indoor areas for persons 10 years of age or older and is recommended in outdoor areas. Health instructions must also be respected.

Restaurants / Events:

According to the Association Restauration Québec (ARQ), following the increase to 250 people for gatherings since August 3, the restaurant sector is entitled to an exception in the number of people according to certain criteria. There are two categories in the restaurant and events sector:

Event without food (e.g., meeting with speakers)

No coffee, no food.
Maximum of 250 people seated at 1.5 metres.

Event with food (e.g., golf tournament, Christmas party, etc.)

No maximum number of people imposed, it depends on the capacity of the room in order to maintain the distance of 2 metres between people and between tables.
3 addresses per table maximum.
People must be seated to receive their food.
No dancing.
Wearing of a face covering at all times when the person gets up from the table.

Bar license and liquor service

The opening hours of facilities holding bar licences issued by the Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux (RACJ) will be restricted.
Bars must stop selling alcoholic beverages at midnight instead of 3 a.m. Customers must also leave the bar no later than 1:00 a.m.