On March 23, 2020, the Quebec government has indicated that the number of novel coronavirus cases in Quebec has spiked to 628. There are 45 people who are hospitalized and 20 of them are in intensive care. There have been four reported deaths in the province linked to the pandemic. As of Monday, more than 1,800 people are awaiting their test results. Nearly 11,200 people have been given the all-clear.
As a result, the province is taking extraordinary measures by ordering all companies and businesses that are not considered to be essential services to close as of Tuesday, March 24, 2020, midnight, until April 13, 2020.
Construction sites and factories will also be affected by the closure order.
Grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations will remain open, people will still be able to work from home. A more complete list of what businesses can remain open during the shutdown click here.
The expanded restrictions come as shopping centres and restaurant dining rooms closed on Monday under the province’s orders. The province previously ordered the closure of all public spaces that accommodate large crowds, including gyms, libraries, public pools and cinemas
On March 30, 2020, Québec Premier François Legault announced that all stores must close every Sunday in April, with the exception of gas stations, convenience stores, pharmacies and restaurants providing takeout and delivery.
On March 31, 2020, pharmacies, grocery stores, and establishments offering grocery or pharmacy services in outside shopping centers are allowed to extend their hours of operation beyond legal periods from Monday to Saturday in order to meet the needs of their clientele.
On April 1, 2020, Premier Legault announced additional restrictions, including movement restrictions, in four regions. In each of Outaouais, Laurentides, Lanaudière and Mauricie – Centre du Québec, travel will now be limited to essential movements. As set out in the Ontario update, this has resulted in some immediate measures at the provincial boundary between Quebec and Ontario in Ottawa. The Premier also confirmed that when an employee needs to travel in a restricted region in order to work, the police can request a certificate from the employer as proof that they perform work permitted under the current provincial restrictions.
As of April 5, 2020, in order to continue the considerable efforts to flatten the curve, limit the spread of the virus and save the maximum number of lives, the Premier of Quebec, François Legault, announced the prolongation of the closure of all businesses and all non-essential businesses until May 4, 2020. Accompanied by the Minister of Economy and Innovation, Pierre Fitzgibbon, François Legault clarified that the Government of Quebec is already working on the reopening of the businesses in order to gradually start the economy from May 4 or as soon as public health officials will recommend it. For the time being, all non-essential services and commercial activities remain closed.
