Bars and restaurants that have been violating COVID-19 rules better be careful this weekend as a massive police operation is soon to be underway. The Quebec government and police forces across the province will be spearheading the Opération Systématisée Comportements À Risque (OSCAR) to identify "where there might be problems of compliance with sanitary rules" in Quebec bars, according to a statement.
This vast operation will be carried out in over 1,000 bars and restaurants across the province over the weekend of September 19.
Editor's Choice: Here’s What It Actually Means If Montreal Moves To ‘Orange’ Alert & COVID-19 Cases Rise
Deputy Premier Geneviève Guilbault announced the plan on Friday.
"My teams and I are in constant discussions with our public security and public health partners so that the rules put in place are respected," said Guilbault.
"Our government is sparing no effort to avoid the second wave in Quebec."
While all regions will be targeted, those on "yellow alert" will be given special attention. This includes Montreal, the Bas-Saint-Laurent, Chaudière-Appalaches, Montérégie, Capitale-Nationale, Outaouais, Laval, and Estrie regions.
"The SPVM intends to participate fully in the collective effort to curb the upsurge in new cases of COVID-19," said Sylvain Caron, Director of the SPVM.
"Over the next three days, we will visit more than 250 bars and licensed establishments in Montreal to ensure that health rules are respected."
If the police find that an establishment is violating the rules, they may report them "to public health, which will take the measures deemed necessary."
Police will also report the information to the Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux du Québec and possible fines might be in store for those business owners.
If the violations are severe, the police may even issue tickets.
For the past week, Quebec has stressed the need for people to respect the health regulations and specifically called out those who continue to host large private parties as one of the main vectors of COVID-19 outbreaks.
Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux
As cases continue to rise beyond acceptable levels, the government has repeated its warning that a second period of confinement could be imminent if people don't get their acts together.
If Montreal were to enter an "orange alert" level, bars, restaurants, casinos, gyms, and sporting activities would have to shut down again.
"This operation will once again demonstrate the continued commitment of the Sûreté and its members to support the important public health mission to counter the spread of the virus while protecting citizens from recalcitrant who could undermine joint efforts and recovery," said Johanne Beausoleil, Interim Director General of the Sûreté du Québec
