As the rising number of COVID-19 cases threatens to overload the health-care system, Premier François Legault announced a four-week curfew starting on Saturday, to curb the rising number of cases and hospitalizations.
While Legault did lay out a ton of information during his press conference, we did receive quite a bit of feedback from readers who were confused about specific rules. To help answer your questions, we’ve whipped up a list of everything we know so far. We understand this can be overwhelming, so hopefully, this will help clear up some confusion.
Here is everything you need to know about the curfew:
Regarding Travel and Outdoor Activities
Quebecers will need to stay in their homes from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. between January 9 to February 8. People will not be allowed to leave their homes during those times without a valid reason. Legault called it a “shock treatment” that he believes is required. If you do not comply, you risk a fine of up to $6,000.
People are permitted to leave their homes for health and humanitarian reasons or priority work.
Anyone delivering goods and those managing supply chains can continue to operate as usual.
Anyone traveling to an airport, bus, or train station is permitted to do so.
Residents can walk their dogs within one kilometre of their homes.
Quebecers aren’t permitted to gather with anyone outdoors unless they reside with them.
Individual activities will be allowed outdoors, including walking, skating, and skiing but team sports with anyone you don’t live with, will not be allowed.
Sports and recreational activities within family bubbles will be accepted.
“For people who have a good reason to be outside of their home, police officers will understand and there won’t be any problems,” said the deputy premier. “It’s the responsibility of the person to show police they have a good reason to be outside their house between 8 pm and 5 am.”
Businesses:
Grocery stores and dépanneurs will have to close at 7:30 p.m. The premier did say an exception will be made for depanneurs that double as gas stations and pharmacies which will be able to stay open past 8 pm.
Health services (dentists, optometrists, clinics) can remain open.
Quebec liquor stores (SAQs) and cannabis shops (SQDCs) will remain open.
Spas, hair salons, and other personal care institutions must close.
Massage and physical therapy services will remain open.
Non-essential businesses including restaurants, gyms, museums, venues, movie theatres, and so on, will remain closed until at least February 8.
Restaurants can offer take-out before 8 pm and businesses will be allowed to provide on-site pickup for products purchased online.
It will be mandatory for office workers to work from home and all non-essential businesses as well as places of worship will be closed until Feb. 8.
Manufacturing sectors can remain open.
Drop-in daycare centres will be closed
Libraries except for circulation purposes will be closed.
Regarding Education:
Adult education programs are set to restart on Jan. 18.
Travel is permitted for those travelling to and from adult education or training school.
Primary schools will open Monday on January 11th as planned but elementary school students will need to wear masks in hallways; while those in Grade 5 and 6 will have to also wear face coverings while in class.
High schools will reopen on Jan. 18 and students will be given two government-issued disposal masks per day.
School outings and inter-school activities are suspended until further notice.
Visitors to schools must be kept to a minimum.
Regarding Indoor or Outdoor Visitors to Homes
Private indoor gatherings are not permitted, and multiple visitors are not permitted at your home from another address.
Only one informal caregiver at a time is permitted to enter your home.
Service or support workers are permitted and those already hired for work on your home are permitted.
Anyone living alone is allowed, one visitor.
Other Rules:
Funerals with a maximum of 10 people excluding funeral establishment staff will be tolerated.
Protests/demonstrations are allowed so long as you wear a face covering or mask.
Community organizations' services will be tolerated.
Places of worship will be closed until Feb. 8.
