Restaurants & Gyms Are Going To Reopen In Just 6 Quebec Regions
In a press conference on February 2, Quebec Premier François Legault announced that six Quebec regions will have some COVID-19 lockdown restrictions lifted as of February 8.
Among other reopenings, these regions — and only these regions — will see restaurants once again open their doors.
Editor's Choice: Hairdressers, Museums & Stores Are Going To Reopen Across Quebec This Month
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I understand [...] that many Quebecers are fed up with the situation and hope to see their friends [...] but unfortunately the battle isn't over.
Premier François Legault
The six regions are:
Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine
Bas-Saint-Laurent
Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean
Abitibi-Témiscamingue
Côte-Nord
Nord-du-Québec
Legault said that the improving situation in these regions' hospitals made it possible for them to become orange zones. The rest of the province will remain a red zone.
Residents of Quebec's six orange-zone regions will be able to attend gyms and resume interior sports activities with "severe" public health protocols as of February 8.
Cinemas and theatres in the orange zones will also reopen as of February 26, to allow time for businesses to set up their respective schedules, according to the premier.
Finally, the curfew for these regions will be pushed to 9:30 p.m.
The 8 p.m. curfew will remain in Quebec red zones.
However, shops, hairdressers and museums will be permitted to reopen across the province as of February 8.
Legault said that one reason for just a gradual, "small deconfinement" is to catch up on surgeries and procedures that were postponed due to the pandemic's pressure on Quebec's health care system.
According to Legault, 34% of the province's surgeries and treatments have had to be postponed.
This article's cover image is used for illustrative purposes only.