MONTREAL — The Quebec government is set to announce new COVID-19-related restrictions later today in an effort to get transmission of the virus under control.
Premier Francois Legault told various media on Monday that the holidays presented an opportunity to tamp down the second wave of the novel coronavirus.
Legault says the province won't be completely shuttered like it was during the spring.
Speaking to Montreal 98.5 FM, Legault noted that construction sector is already closed and schools will switch to online learning after Wednesday, ahead of the Christmas break.
In an interview with Radio-Canada, Legault said he was inspired by Germany's approach, which announced on the weekend it would close all non-essential businesses beginning Wednesday and until Jan. 10.
Legault hasn't said specifically what businesses or sectors will be shut, but in the province's so-called red zones, bars, restaurant dining, gyms and entertainment venues are already closed until at least Jan. 11.
In the most recent figures released on Monday, the province reported a seven-day average of 1,766 new daily infections, with 890 patients in hospital.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 15, 2020.
The Canadian Press