bars restaurants Legault

Montreal bars, restaurants, theatres, museums closing for 28 days

The news we’ve been dreading.

In a press conference this evening, Quebec Premier François Legault, Public Health Director Horacio Arruda and Health and Public Safety Minister Christian Dubé confirmed the news that Dubé broke on Tout le monde en parle last night: Montreal and Quebec City (as well as the Chaudière-Appalaches region) have been elevated to the red alert level for COVID-19, meaning that new temporary restrictions are being put into place — including the closure of bars, restaurants, theatres and museums.

“The situation has become critical,” Legault said. “If we don’t want our hospitals to be overwhelmed, if we want to limit the number of deaths, we have to act.”

As of Wednesday, Sept. 30 at midnight, the following measures are being mandated for 28 days: Bars, restaurants and casinos will be closed, as well as all theatres, cinemas, reception rooms, banquet halls, show rooms, museums and libraries. These establishments will —or may — reopen on Oct. 28. Financial assistance for the affected businesses is expected to be announced.

People are being asked to refrain from visiting other homes, restricting occupants of households to the people who live at the residence — the exception being a single care provider of some sort.

Outdoors, the two-metre rule remains in place (and is likely to be enforced more frequently at gatherings), and at events such as demonstrations, masks will be mandatory.

Businesses such as retail stores, hairdressers and hotels will remain open, as will all primary and secondary schools and daycares. ■

bars restaurants
Bars, restaurants, museums, theatres, libraries and casinos in red zones closing till Oct. 28

For the latest COVID-19 (Coronavirus) info, please visit the Santé Québec website.


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