What do we know about when and how Montreal clubs will reopen?

[Luv2play]

On 8/15/2021 at 5:56 PM, SirBIllybob said:

I’m Canadian but Americans I know have had to provide negative NAAT to re-enter USA, at least for trips where the USA-based test expires and cannot be used to return. There is also a complicated distinction based on days not hours. 

You need RT-PCR and vaccination to enter Canada, and need complete the ArriveCAN app, but I understand a negative antigen test will suffice for going back. However, the standard test in Canada is PCR so I don’t know how you’d pick a different NAAT option Canada-side; we don’t do antigen here to accommodate the American more flexible set of test criteria.

Why don’t you research it rather than banking on somebody here to experientially describe the process? USA entry regulations for nationals are clearly laid out by your own government. 

As of Sept 1st Quebec you will need a ‘vaccination passport’ to go places, that still needs to be fine-tuned in terms of how non-Quebecois will be assessed, scanned, etc. It is a new endeavour and the priority is pandemic control not smooth tourism. Expect growing pains and screw-ups that may hit you given your dates. Keep looking up using your words on search engines. 

I am living in Ontario and so far our government refuses to consider vaccine passports. So all I have are two printed receipts of my Pfizer  doses taken several months ago. I keep them in plastic sleeves to preserve them.

I'm hoping to go to Montreal in late October where I have a weekend lined up with a wonderful escort who will be coming in from overseas. But all is contingent on travel and pandemic restrictions.

If Ontario still doesn't have a digital passport by then, I am wondering if my receipts will suffice to get into hotels, restaurants and bars in Montreal. I would have to back them up with photo ID but would be prepared to do that. I just don't like the uncertainty.

The federal govt has said they will bring in a passport for international travel in the fall but now we have an election so that may be delayed or worse cancelled if Trudeau loses since the Conservative opposition don't support passports.

Edited August 17, 2021 by Luv2play

[Karl-G]

On 8/16/2021 at 4:12 PM, twinkboylover28 said:

 

Montreal Gay Village - Summer 2021

https://youtu.be/LTEtHQ1YwYs

 

 

[Karl-G]

Sorry, problems with the new system.

The walking tour of The Village from Aug. 9 was very interesting, IMO.  I never realized there were some extensive roof gardens on top of the buildings along Ste Catherine.  Nice.  Without the pink balls, the street is much less festive or special; they really were a superb addition  for years in many ways.  The West End of the Village, near former Hotel des Gouverneurs, is really deserted.  That area has gone through many changes over the years, but does not look good now.  It has had several terraces in the recent past, but none seemed to survive this summer.

In general, tall new buildings along the street make it seem tighter and closer and less friendly.  They are all right up against the sidewalk.  The large planters this year do not seem to have worked; they look like they have a few tall weeds each, not the nice flowers of previous years.  The paving on Ste Catherine really needs redoing, especially for a street that is hailed as a pedestrian mall.

La Piazzetta has two terraces, which is new to me, although it may have had them recently.  The "Art Park" across from Mado and Stock seems to attract photographers, although it has never done much for me.  I don't know the restaurants well enough to tell which ones have survived and which have changed.   Some of the terraces looked extra large this year.  The terrace which belong to the Skye Complex, or whatever it is called, now seems to extend for half a block and be well occupied.  Although I may not have seen that clearly.

The cross street towards the East End which has been completely blocked, paved over with colored stones and planters and trees installed looks very interesting.  They were beginning work on that a couple of years ago when I was there.  I wonder if that is unique or whether a test of further pedestrian areas/small urban parks?

The Bourbon Complex is not a bad look building, although I do not know how high class it is.  From the sheet draped windows, it did not look very upper scale.  And to me it makes the street much narrower and less inviting.  No outdoor life there.  EXPOSE looks seedier and tackier than ever; it was was OK for what it was.  The biggest shocker for me was the almost entirely leveled block east of the Papineau station.  Anyone know what this is going to be?  That once was a thriving gas station and theater/revivalist church, and donut shop until late hours.  All gone.   The Village really must go up to Taboo, IMO. 

 

 

[Karl-G]

All of the street vendors and their tents were new to me.  I wonder which street they have closed: Alexander de Seve, Dalcourt, or Plessis?  Dalcourt is the smallest, but has houses all along both sides, I think.  De Seve has that large park on the East, so that might work better.

[Karl-G]

I checked.   A developer named Emporis is going to build a 14 story residential tower on the site.  No other details.  From photos of other buildings they have designed, it will not be distinguished or special, but it will fill up the block.  It will be midway between Expose and Taboo, which may be an asset.  Apparently the Papineau Metro Station has been closed several times because of construction, and traffic on the Green Line blocked/halted at times.  The building is almost on top of the line and station.  Will they be connected underground?  "You can walk directly from your apartment into the spacious and convenient Papineau Green Line Metro Station, without ever going outdoors on a wintry day.  It's almost like being at Berri-Uqam."

[Luv2play]

On 8/18/2021 at 2:22 PM, Karl-G said:

 

Nice to see my old neighborhood looking great.😊

[Luv2play]

I hope to get there this fall to see what has changed in two years. Had a condo in the centre south of Ste Catherine for 13 years until 2010. Will be staying at the newly refurbished Hyatt, previously Le Gouveneur, when it opens in late October. Hopefully I can get the vax app so I can enjoy the visit. Ontario isn't being very cooperative in this regard so will have to see.

[zzed]

I'm in Montreal this weekend and the city is packed. Lots of U.S. cars on the street from New York, Pennsylvania, Mass and even saw a Florida plate. The street is very busy and we dropped into Campus early but it was pretty quiet as it usually is. After a late dinner at La Piazetta we went to Taboo around 10:30 and it was quite busy... by 11:00 it was packed. I don't know if there are still 50% capacity limits in place like Ontario has but they were way over that and everyone took their masks off once inside and seated, but seriously there was a crowd of about a dozen people right next to us that kept growing and encroaching on our space. The only saving grace... there were some hotties in the group. Oh yeah, on the stage there were a very limited number of guys who did nothing for me even when naked. 

[Luv2play]

I expect the Americans were all vaccinated. Still crowding would worry me. Not sure if all the younger Canadians are vaccinated but I would hope the dancers are. I would ask before engaging one for a private dance.

[SirBillybob]

More developments, though still in progress, for Quebec vaxx passport equivalency for tourists.

Authorities still trying to see if it can be worked out for foreign nationals through the ArriveCAN app. They are also looking into whether those visitors or those from other provinces can bring their verification to a provincial vaccination site and be issued a QR matrix code … or a card, as Québecois will also have the option of a card as opposed to a smartphone code.

The vaxx sites are not too busy and accommodate walk-ins. Still, it will likely take some time for those staff to get up to speed on what to do with such requests. 

Edited August 21, 2021 by SirBIllybob

[SirBillybob]

Montreal is back to case levels of three months ago, when restrictions were not lifted or about to be. Right now is a window of time without restraint, and relatively higher risk of transmission, as it’s a ‘last hurrah’ before the vaccination mandate for venues kicks in for the Labour Day weekend. 

[jerryskater]

22 hours ago, Luv2play said:

I hope to get there this fall to see what has changed in two years. Had a condo in the centre south of Ste Catherine for 13 years until 2010. Will be staying at the newly refurbished Hyatt, previously Le Gouveneur, when it opens in late October. Hopefully I can get the vax app so I can enjoy the visit. Ontario isn't being very cooperative in this regard so will have to see.

Looks like the Hyatt won't be opening till November 16.

https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/canada/hyatt-place-montreal-downtown/yulzm

[Luv2play]

58 minutes ago, jerryskater said:

Looks like the Hyatt won't be opening till November 16.

https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/canada/hyatt-place-montreal-downtown/yulzm

Thanks for that. I have a reservation for the last weekend of October and I haven't heard from them it is cancelled. I made it over a month ago. I will look into it 

[Luv2play]

2 hours ago, SirBIllybob said:

Montreal is back to case levels of three months ago, when restrictions were not lifted or about to be. Right now is a window of time without restraint, and relatively higher risk of transmission, as it’s a ‘last hurrah’ before the vaccination mandate for venues kicks in for the Labour Day weekend. 

Same almost here on Ontario. Cases hit 700 today, not seen since early June. My plans for visiting Montreal this fall are contingent on cases being lower. We'll see.

[+ bcbg1205]

Back from Campus a few minutes ago.  The rule here is that if you are seated a mask is not required. If you are standing it is. Most people who were standing were not masked. On my way out (after drinking 1/4 of my beer) I told the bouncer that in the past I was a loyal customer. Then I told him that if he wanted to see me again they would have to enforce the rules. He nodded yes but I suspect my remarks fell on deaf ears.

[traxton]

16 hours ago, bcbg1205 said:

Back from Campus a few minutes ago.  The rule here is that if you are seated a mask is not required. If you are standing it is. Most people who were standing were not masked. On my way out (after drinking 1/4 of my beer) I told the bouncer that in the past I was a loyal customer. Then I told him that if he wanted to see me again they would have to enforce the rules. He nodded yes but I suspect my remarks fell on deaf ears.

How were the dancers at Campus? Were there many to begin with? Any one noteworthy to mention?

[twinkboylover28]

 

https://youtu.be/jxtuBaLAL5Y

 

https://youtu.be/alnC-cXp3DU

 

[Luv2play]

On 8/21/2021 at 4:38 PM, SirBIllybob said:

Montreal is back to case levels of three months ago, when restrictions were not lifted or about to be. Right now is a window of time without restraint, and relatively higher risk of transmission, as it’s a ‘last hurrah’ before the vaccination mandate for venues kicks in for the Labour Day weekend. 

How do you think things are going to change for visitors from Ontario after Sept. 1? I have booked  a hotel for the weekend of the 17th Sept and hoping to see some escorts and go out to restaurants etc. Already have dates set up. We are all double vaxxed and have documentation showing same but Ontario isn't going the way of Quebec with "passports".

So at this point I have my receipts on paper, I could photo them on my phone, and carry photo  ID that shows I am the person on the receipts.

 

Will this be sufficient to get me into restaurants and bars?  My escort friends are also from Toronto and are in the same situation.

[SirBillybob]

2 hours ago, Luv2play said:

How do you think things are going to change for visitors from Ontario after Sept. 1? I have booked  a hotel for the weekend of the 17th Sept and hoping to see some escorts and go out to restaurants etc. Already have dates set up. We are all double vaxxed and have documentation showing same but Ontario isn't going the way of Quebec with "passports".

So at this point I have my receipts on paper, I could photo them on my phone, and carry photo  ID that shows I am the person on the receipts.

 

Will this be sufficient to get me into restaurants and bars?  My escort friends are also from Toronto and are in the same situation.

I think that being organized on paper is a solid start, maybe a screenshot of your photo ID positioned next to your vaxx receipts. I think that by that 3rd weekend the kinks should be worked out and most venues will have had to screen Ontarians. They want your business. 

I am personally disqualified because my vaccination trial site is just giving me a cover letter that likely won’t be worth the paper it is typed on. I am not too perturbed and won’t be carrying a placard and marching about it. 

There are rumblings that vaccination sites may be equipped to issue cards or QR matrix codes to out-of-province visitors. This would be the closest, the next closest being Palais des Congrès. 

Edited August 24, 2021 by SirBIllybob

[Luv2play]

8 hours ago, SirBIllybob said:

I think that being organized on paper is a solid start, maybe a screenshot of your photo ID positioned next to your vaxx receipts. I think that by that 3rd weekend the kinks should be worked out and most venues will have had to screen Ontarians. They want your business. 

I am personally disqualified because my vaccination trial site is just giving me a cover letter that likely won’t be worth the paper it is typed on. I am not too perturbed and won’t be carrying a placard and marching about it. 

There are rumblings that vaccination sites may be equipped to issue cards or QR matrix codes to out-of-province visitors. This would be the closest, the next closest being Palais des Congrès. 

Thanks. That's very helpful, especially about a photo of the ID with the vax receipts together. Hadn't thought of that. 

Also if the vax sites can issue a certificate for outsiders like myself that would be great. I know the Beaudry site, used to visit it for STI checkups when I lived on the Village.

[Karl-G]

VIDEO OF DEDICATION OF PARC DE L'ESPOIR

 

[SirBillybob]

14 hours ago, Luv2play said:

Thanks. That's very helpful, especially about a photo of the ID with the vax receipts together. Hadn't thought of that. 

Also if the vax sites can issue a certificate for outsiders like myself that would be great. I know the Beaudry site, used to visit it for STI checkups when I lived on the Village.

It’s a bit confusing because there may be only certain provincial sites that do it and it appears you have to fill out the online form to figure out where, etc … 

[twinkboylover28]

https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/how-quebecs-vaccine-passport-will-work

 

[SirBillybob]

On 8/24/2021 at 7:36 AM, Luv2play said:

Thanks. That's very helpful, especially about a photo of the ID with the vax receipts together. Hadn't thought of that. 

Also if the vax sites can issue a certificate for outsiders like myself that would be great. I know the Beaudry site, used to visit it for STI checkups when I lived on the Village.

[SirBillybob]

On 8/24/2021 at 7:36 AM, Luv2play said:

Thanks. That's very helpful, especially about a photo of the ID with the vax receipts together. Hadn't thought of that. 

Also if the vax sites can issue a certificate for outsiders like myself that would be great. I know the Beaudry site, used to visit it for STI checkups when I lived on the Village.

BTW according to the press conference yesterday you will need proof of address outside of Quebec along with ID and vacc documents. Not everybody keeps address proof on their person. I don’t have such info on my typical photos IDs so I usually use a tax statement.