Here's What's Closing & Staying Open As Montreal Goes Into Red Alert
On Monday, Premier François Legault announced Montreal is going into red alert for 28 days starting on October 1, 2020.
The regions of Chaudière-Appalaches and the Capitale-Nationale, with the exception of Portneuf and Charlevoix, will also become red zones.
He also specified what, exactly, that means for the affected regions.
In short, a new wave of closures and rules are coming into effect in an effort to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Here's what you need to know.
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What's closing in Montreal?
Legault called it a "difficult" decision but said his government is acting quickly "in the interest of all Quebecers."
As of 12:00 a.m. Thursday, the Montreal metropolitan area (CMM), the Capitale-Nationale (except Portneuf and Charlevoix) and Chaudière-Appalaches will be under "red alert."
This means:
no guests — see only people in your own household;
only one person allowed in a home in exceptional cases (in order to care for a senior, for example);
all bars, casinos, restaurant dining rooms, theatres, museums and cinemas are closing;
no activities and events (except for places of worship and funerals).
What's staying open?
"Our goal is to protect our health system, our schools, and the jobs of as many workers as possible," underlined Legault.
Here's what's staying open or is still allowed:
places of worship and funerals (maximum of 25 people);
businesses (including hair salons and hotels);
restaurant delivery and takeout;
protests with mandatory mask-wearing;
schools.
How long will the red alert last?
"I cannot and will not make false promises," said Legault. "We all have a role to play and every action is important."
The red alert will last for four weeks, from October 1 to October 28.