Quebec Premier François Legault announced on Tuesday additional regions that will become “red zones.”
It marks the highest level on its COVID-19 alert colour-scale, which indicates the severity of the virus in regions around the province and dictates what restrictions should be put in place. The recently added red zones include Montérégie and central Quebec. Charlevoix will also be moved to “red,” joining the rest of the Quebec City region.
In addition, the region of Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean is also being moved to Orange.
“We need to remain prudent before celebrating, but the spread of the virus seems to be stabilizing,” said Legault in French.
The premier said that efforts they’ve taken a couple weeks ago seem to be paying off, with the number of daily cases decreasing over the past four days. However, the virus is still circulating in more regions than just in its hotspots.
Legault said that the province is imposing these further restrictions for three reasons: Save lives, keep children in school and to save their health-care system. He urges all Quebecers to continue to limit their indoor gatherings.
The latest red zones will start to face additional restrictions as of Friday. Restaurants and bars will only be able to offer takeout options. Dining rooms and most entertainment venues will have to close, as well as gyms. High schools in red regions will have to apply additional hygiene rules, such as full-time mask use, while extracurricular activities will be suspended.
In red zones, people are not allowed to have visitors from other households, except under unique circumstances, such for those who live alone. Private gatherings are prohibited, except for places of worship and funerals, where there can be a maximum of 25 people.
Please reference this map to see which regions are also currently red zones.
