The following update is courtesy of longstanding UIAA associate member Fédération Québécoise de la Montagne et de l’Escalade (FQME) and was originally published in French on 23 April. The below is a translation. The link also provides updates to previous releases.
While the situation of COVID-19 continues to disrupt everyone’s daily life, the FQME wants to inform you of new developments and to make sure that its entire team is doing everything in its power to advance projects and to properly predict the return activities.
The FQME is working in close collaboration with government authorities as well as those in the climbing sector to prepare for a return to activities in the weeks and months to come. More concretely, we took part in several meetings and consulted with numerous organizations to take the pulse of the situation and propose future actions.
Here is a non-exhaustive list of the actions of the FQME during the last days in connection with the gradual return to activities:
– Participation in the weekly meetings of the Quebec Outdoor Network (RQAP). The RQAP participates in meetings with Sports Québec, the Conseil québécois du loisir, URLS and the office of the Minister of Education and Higher Education (MEES);
– Participation in Climbing Escalade Canada (CEC) meetings to prepare recommendations for indoor climbing centers across the country;
– Participation in the first meeting of 24 climbing centers in Quebec, in preparation for a comeback in the coming months;
– Collaboration with Aventure Écotourisme Québec;
– Collaboration with MEES to assess the impact of preventive measures on our industry;
– Followed up with the government to have the inspection and development activities of the FQME recognized as priority services.
As soon as new advancements take place or decisions are made, rest assured that we will keep our community informed. We take this opportunity to thank you for your support, collaboration and patience. The situation is not easy for anyone, but all together, we will be able to restart activities well.
Further in another communication, the FQME’s representation on a National Pandemic-Response Task Force, was detailed.
