Ontario Construction News staff writer
Quebec Premier Francois Legault says stricter measures that come into effect across the province on Saturday are “shock therapy.
An 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew will be in place until Feb. 8, along with the extended closure of non-essential businesses.
“The upcoming month is going to be a critical one,” Legault said at a news conference Wednesday. “We are in a race against time.”
“Unfortunately we have lost this race in the last few weeks. But we can win it.”
The new restrictions, however, do not include any limits on the construction or manufacturing sectors – unlike the provincial lockdown last spring.
The measures include:
- A provincewide curfew from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., the first of its kind in Canada during the pandemic. There will be exceptions for essential workers and dog walkers near their home. The fine for breaking curfew will be $1,000 to $6,000.
- All non-essential workplaces and businesses, including gyms and restaurants, will be closed. Curbside pickup at stores and delivery for restaurants will be allowed.
- Places of worship must close.
- Daycares will stay open. Elementary schools will open as planned on Jan. 11, but children in Grades 5 and 6 will be required to wear masks.
- High schools will reopen Jan. 18. Students and staff will be supplied with two government-issued three-layer disposal paper medical masks per day.
- Grocery stores and corner stores must close at 7:30 p.m.
- Indoor and outdoor gatherings with people outside the household are prohibited.
Unlike during the lockdown in the spring, Legault said manufacturing and construction will not be shut down,
“As premier, I am responsible for the safety of Quebecers,” Legault said.
“I have to make difficult decisions. There aren’t a thousand solutions and there are no perfect solutions. It is urgent to reduce Quebecers’ contacts.”
The province’s health research group suggests hospitals in the greater Montreal area could run out of space in less than three weeks. In many parts of the province, health-care services have already been scaled back.
Legault said that 80 per cent of those hospitalized are over the age of 65. He urged older people to be careful in the coming months as they await a vaccine.
Lockdown measures are expected to be loosened as vaccinations ramp up and Legault said he expects 250,000 people will be immunized by early February.
By the middle of February, Quebec expects to begin vaccinating people over 80 in the general population.