Synagogues, like all places of worship in Quebec, will have to require proof of vaccination from anyone attending services as of Dec. 20. They will also have to limit capacity to 50 percent, up to a maximum of 250 people in the building and they must be masked, even when seated.
On Dec. 16, the Quebec government announced tightened COVID rules in an effort to stem the rapid surge in infection. On that day, the province recorded over 3,700 cases, the highest daily count since the pandemic began 21 months ago and well above the previous record set last January.
Quebec has had a vaccination passport system in place since the beginning of September, which certifies that the holder has received two doses. Until now, these have only been required for entry into such establishments as restaurants gyms, and performance and sports venues.
Many synagogues voluntarily introduced vaccine mandates for the High Holidays, which have continued, but some implemented them on the honour system rather than actually verifying the QR code or paper copies.
Premier François Legault was asked at the Dec. 16 press conference how the passport rule would be enforced at places of worship, given the delicacy of the state intervening in the exercise of religious freedom.
“I met last year with representatives of different religions and they asked me why they cannot have the same rights as restaurants…I think they are responsible people like the owners of restaurants. I have confidence they will respect the rules like with restaurants,” he said.
“When you have to apply some rules, you can expect someone will come and inspect that you apply the rules.”
Restaurants, stores, theatres, gyms and other businesses and public places will also have to cut capacity by half as of Dec. 20.
Up to 250 people can attend a wedding or funeral, if they are fully vaccinated, but only 25 if they are not. Gatherings in homes remain capped at 10 people.
Last January, clashes erupted when police entered some Hasidic synagogues in the Outremont and Mile End districts suspected of exceeding the capacity limits at that time. Several arrests were made.
Police also came into a number of synagogues in Côte St. Luc, Hampstead and elsewhere during the High Holidays of 2020 to see that rules were being respected, but those interventions provoked no objection.
Currently, places of worship can accommodate up to 250 people (500 outdoors), sitting at least one metre apart, unless they are from the same household. Masks can be removed once seated.
Rabbi Reuben Poupko of Congregation Beth Israel Beth Aaron said he believes mainstream synagogues will comply with the enhanced protocol, although for most the practical impact should not be great.
“With the surge in cases, attendance has been depressed anyway,” he said. His congregation had taken members at their word about their vaccination status, but has now sent out emails notifying them that they must submit a pdf of their vaccine passports. Showing an app on a cellphone on Shabbat contravenes halakhah, he noted.
Since the fall, when Quebec allowed full capacity at entertainment venues and restaurants, the synagogues have assumed the rules were relaxed for them as well, he said. “We have never had any explicit directives and lived with a certain ambiguity—happily.”
Rabbi Poupko said he is not aware of any police checks at synagogues in recent months.
On Dec. 17, Rabbi Poupko received clarification from the government that children aged 13 and under will not be required to show vaccination proof to enter places of worship.
Since the High Holidays, synagogues had varying in-house regulations on children under 12, who at that point were not eligible for vaccination. Some barred them, others were more lenient. At least one offered rapid tests to that age group.
Kids aged 5-11 became eligible in Quebec last month, and the most recent statistics show just under 40 percent have had at least one dose.
Overall, 83 percent of Quebecers age five and up have received at least a single shot.
The main Jewish funeral home, Paperman and Sons, has been adhering to a stricter protocol than required. On Nov. 3, it started it admitting a maximum of 80 people in its chapel, by invitation only, with vaccination proof.
The rules are being tightened for schools as well. Masks will again have to be worn in the classroom, not only in common areas, by both elementary and high school students.
Younger students are to return to class after the holiday break on Jan. 3, while high school kids will go back Jan. 10 and learn remotely the previous week.
About three-quarters of schools in Quebec have had at least one COVID case since the beginning of the school year. The Jewish schools are not an exception.
According to government data, as of Dec. 15, Solomon Schechter Academy, Hebrew Foundation School, Ecole Maimonide, Hebrew Academy, and Herzliah High School were reporting active cases.