Red alert level brings partial 28-day lockdown to 3 Quebec regions including Montreal, Quebec City | Global News - Kalina Laframboise & Annabelle Olivier Global:
September 29, 2020 - "The Greater Montreal area, the Capitale Nationale area in Quebec City, as well as the Chaudières-Appalaches region are being bumped up into the red zone under the province’s novel coronavirus regional alert system as cases and outbreaks surge in the province. Quebec Premier François Legault made the announcement during a press conference in Montreal attended by both Health Minister Christain Dubé and public health director Dr. Horacio Arruda.
"'The situation is critical,' Legault said. 'The cases are rising, If we don’t want our hospitals to be submerged, if we want to limit our number of deaths we must act strongly right now'.... ' 'We give ourselves four weeks with these measures to see if we can stop the second wave,” Legault said....
"Restaurants will be limited to take-out only but other businesses, such as hair salons and retail stores will be allowed to stay open.
"Furthermore, residents in affected zones will be prohibited from hosting anyone in their homes. Legault said only people living at the same address will be allowed inside a home. There will be exceptions such as if an elderly person needs a caregiver or a parent needs a babysitter, or someone needs a plumber. But in all instances only one additional person can enter a private residence at a time. In seniors’ residences, the same rule will apply in that a resident will only be allowed to receive care from one person at a time and a maximum of two people per day.
"Under the new restrictions, places of worship will be limited to 25 people at any one time. For outdoor spaces, people will have to maintain a two-metre distance from each other at all times.
"How the new measures will be enforced has yet to be determined. 'We said for many weeks that we prefer not to enter a house without a mandate,' Dubé said. 'Our deputy premier, Geneviève Guilbault, is looking at every measure that we can take'....
Restaurant owners were quick to express their dismay, saying they feel unfairly targeted. In a news release the Quebec restaurateurs association pointed to repeated government assertions that the virus wasn’t spreading in bars and restaurants but in private gatherings and homes. Contrary to private gatherings, restaurants provide a safe and controlled environment, the association said.... Creton also fears many restaurants will not survive a second round of restrictions.... 'We’re working on measures to compensate owners,' Legault said....
"On Monday, the government also announced it will be prioritizing testing for people with COVID-19 symptoms and those who have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive. People who don’t fall into either category could be refused access to screening, unless recommended by a health professional.... The ministry also recommends those who have come into contact with infected people to remain in isolation 14 days after the last 'risky' contact, even after a negative test. Those with COVID-19 symptoms who test negative are also being asked to self-isolate until they no longer show symptoms of the illness."
Read more: https://globalnews.ca/news/7363360/quebec-coronavirus-red-alert-montreal/
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