2021-04-01 02:35:00
MONTREAL —
Quebec Premier François Legault introduced Wednesday that 4 areas, after having their COVID-19 restrictions eased not too long ago, can have that transfer reversed, whereas three cities can have what quantities to a shelter-in-place order.
“It is like we now have to place populations in intensive care proper now — in any other case we will lose them,” Legault mentioned in a press convention to announce the adjustments.
The Outaouais, Quebec Metropolis, Chaudière-Appalaches and Bas-St-Laurent areas will all transfer from orange to purple zones underneath the province’s alert system as of Thursday at 8 p.m., Legault mentioned.
The three cities — Quebec Metropolis, Lévis, and Gatineau — are displaying such alarming indicators that the province is placing them on a 10-day lockdown, with faculties and all non-essential companies closed. Kids will go to full-time distant studying.
That lockdown may also begin Thursday at 8 p.m. and can final till April 12.
“Usually talking, what we’re saying is that the scenario is essential, it’s deteriorating, in these three cities,” Legault mentioned.
“Folks primarily have to stay at house, besides in the event that they completely need to go work.”
The curfew in these three cities may also return to eight p.m. after being set at 9:30 throughout all orange and purple zones.
Theatres, gyms and plenty of different companies will shut, and the sale of non-essential merchandise might be banned. Eating places might be allowed takeout and supply solely. Homes of worship can have a capability of 25 individuals.
It is kind of the identical system that was in place in January, Legault defined.
Three of these areas solely went to a extra relaxed orange degree on March 8, whereas the Outaouais has been orange since mid-February.
OTTAWA RESIDENTS WARNED NOT TO VISIT GATINEAU
Quebec Public Well being Director Dr. Horacio Arruda additionally warned Ottawa residents in opposition to crossing the river to go to Gatineau, saying it is harmful and will solely be completed for urgent causes.
Should you should go, be vigilant about carrying a masks, he mentioned.
“It is extremely, extremely, extremely advisable to not go to these zones, as a result of there’s public transmission,” mentioned Arruda.
Well being Minister Christian Dubé additionally repeated what Legault mentioned Tuesday — that the province is in contact with the mayor of Gatineau and the Ontario authorities about attempting to harmonize laws throughout Ottawa and Gatineau.
“We are going to discover a approach to make sure there’s much less [interchange]” between the 2 areas,” Dubé mentioned.
The province is taking the motion now to be able to attempt to head off a dire future in a few weeks when the present development in COVID-19 circumstances will hit hospitals, Legault mentioned.
On Tuesday, a fifth area was named as very worrying, the Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean, however Legault mentioned it is now thought-about to be in higher form.
MONTREAL STABLE FOR NOW, BUT THINGS CHANGING FAST
Montreal will not have its present guidelines modified in the meanwhile, Legault mentioned, because it’s comparatively steady.
Nevertheless, general, the scenario is altering shortly because the province grapples with the unfold of variants, and Montreal may find yourself having to backtrack to tighter restrictions as nicely, he later mentioned.
He made the remark whereas defending himself in opposition to an accusation that the province has been “yo-yo-ing” forwards and backwards between restrictions, which Legault had mentioned he needed to keep away from.
“We’re no totally different from anyplace else,” he mentioned, pointing to how French president Emmanuel Macron additionally not too long ago modified restrictions.
“All people is in a scenario the place we’re adjusting ourselves,” he mentioned. “If we hadn’t needed to take any danger, we’d have closed extra in Montreal, and we’d have made a mistake, as a result of… we have been in a position to give a little bit of respiratory room” to Montrealers, he mentioned.
“However are we going to need to act subsequent week within the higher Montreal space? Maybe.”
Arruda mentioned he is watching the upcoming vacation weekend rigorously to see if it adjustments Montreal’s trajectory.
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