Residents of Quebec will no longer have to wear masks in most public places for protection against COVID-19, at least starting next Saturday.

The interim director of public health in Quebec, Dr. Luc Boileau, announced on Wednesday that masks will still be required on public transportation, in healthcare settings, nursing homes, and other places where any healthcare is provided.

Seniors are still encouraged to wear masks, as they have higher risks than others due to weakened immunity.

Boileau said that all people with an active or recent infection will still face restrictions. Those with confirmed infections still have to isolate themselves for five days.

He said that the greater logic does not only apply to confirmed COVID-19 cases but to anyone with similar symptoms. Even without a mandate, people should be cautious, isolate themselves, and wear a mask while showing symptoms.

He said, "When we show symptoms, we stay home, isolate, and protect others." Dr. Jean Longtin, the general expert who spoke alongside Boileau, said that doing this, and not seeing vulnerable people when sick, "should become normal social behavior."

Boileau also emphasized that the province asks everyone to respect others' choices to wear masks voluntarily, as many are expected to do.

Boileau spoke on Wednesday about the need to monitor variants and waves arriving from now on and to take measures to mitigate them before things become very serious.

However, he said last week that authorities "do not want" to reinstate the mask mandate, even likely in the fall if another wave arrives, saying people now know enough to understand the risks and act responsibly.

He added: "I think people will have spontaneous self-protection reactions." He also asked people to remember that "the virus can change, mutate, and may have characteristics that surprise us." For example, a future variant may target children more, he said. This kind of change could alter provincial plans.

Longtin said that there are two factors the province will closely monitor with future waves: first, the characteristics of the variant involved, and second, the effectiveness of available vaccines.

The current set of vaccines, developed in 2020, is gradually losing effectiveness as variants continue to evolve.

Longtin said Quebec residents should expect another vaccination campaign in the fall, although the form it will take is still uncertain.

Numbers still show widespread circulating viruses. The update came as the province recorded a decrease in the total number of hospitalizations.

As of Wednesday morning, 2,176 people were hospitalized due to the virus, 19 fewer than the previous day. While testing is limited to certain at-risk populations, the 11.6 percent positivity rate on Wednesday indicates that the virus is still widespread in the province.

A press release added, "The commitment to wearing masks on public transportation continues due to the difficulty passengers face in maintaining distance between them."