Everything You Need To Know About Quebec's Partial Reopening Plan For February

At a press conference on February 2, Premier François Legault announced a series of reopening plans in Quebec, with an eye towards restarting the economy once again. 

Officials underlined that Quebecers are in for a very "gradual" reopening that varies by region. Here's everything you need to know.

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What's reopening in Quebec on February 8?

Retail stores, hairdressers, and museums will be reopening across the entire province, no matter the zone.

This includes "non-priority businesses" such as personal care shops, beauty shops and shopping malls. 

Just six regions are going back to the orange zone and will see their restaurants and gyms reopen at a reduced capacity. They are:

• Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine

• Bas-Saint-Laurent

• Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean

• Abitibi–Témiscamingue

• Côte-Nord

• and Nord-du-Québec.

Cinemas in these regions will be allowed to reopen as of February 26. 

The rest of Quebec is staying in the red zone.

In all zones, bars will remain closed and teleworking is still compulsory.

Masks and social distancing measures are still mandatory in reopened spaces.

Can I see my friends and family? 

Though the ban on private gatherings is still active, outdoor activities with up to four people from four different households in red zones and up to eight people in orange zones will be authorized as of February 8 — with social distancing measures in place.

Legault said his government had received a lot of requests on this subject. He gave the example of walking on Mount Royal or cross-country skiing in small groups.

"This will allow [us] to begin to have more activities," he said. "There is less risk outside."

The government is also working on a plan to gradually reopen CEGEPs and universities after February 8. 

Is Quebec's curfew still on?

Yes, but curfew hours vary by zone. 

If you live in a red zone, the 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew is still in force.

In orange zones, curfew will begin at 9:30 p.m. and will end at 5 a.m. 

No further changes to the regional alert levels and no more reopenings are planned until after February 22, depending on the COVID-19 situation. 

"We are moving in the right direction, but we must remain very cautious and relax the measures gradually," said Legault.