Montreal Is Once Again In A State Of Emergency
The mayor made the announcement in an online press conference on Tuesday.
Despite being tucked away in her Montreal home while isolating after testing positive for COVID-19, Mayor Valérie Plante announced that the metropolis has renewed its state of emergency in the face of the Omicron variant and exploding case numbers in the province.
"The state of emergency is an additional tool which we have that allows us to face with greater agility this period of instability that affects vulnerable people, merchants, businesses and Montreal families," Plante said in a Facebook post on Tuesday morning.
"The state of emergency will ensure the continuity of public services during the health crisis. For example, we will be able to purchase protective and screening equipment for essential workers in the agglomeration," continued the mayor's post.
"The state of emergency will also allow us to set up emergency shelter sites quickly, in support of the health network and community organizations."
Montreal's first state of emergency due to COVID-19 came in March 2020. It continued for over a year, finally ending on August 27, 2021. It only took a few months for the state of emergency to be renewed.
This undoubtedly unwelcome news comes just before the holiday season, as the city and the province are doing everything they can to help halt the spread of the Omicron variant.
"We all have a duty to respect public health regulations. We must, now more than ever, all do our part to limit the spread of this virus," wrote the mayor.
On Tuesday, the province reported over 5,043 new COVID-19 cases — a new record.
This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.
