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QUEBEC — Under fire at home and abroad for its state neutrality bill, the Quebec government softened its stand Tuesday saying a person will be allowed to ride the bus or walk around a library without being obliged to remove a face covering.

In fact, the provincial justice minister, Stéphanie Vallée — under pressure from all sides — apologized if some of her impromptu hallway explanations on the legislation, Bill 62, created confusion and even panic, especially among minorities.

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“We have no intention of putting in place a police force to verify face coverings,” Vallée said at a news conference called to release guidelines and calm the storm of controversy over the bill, which was adopted and given royal assent last Wednesday.

“I’m sorry that it wasn’t clear. Maybe what I am doing today I should have done the day after we adopted the bill. I am doing the honourable thing. I apologize, simply.”