COVID-19 nightly curfew in Montreal and Laval reverted to 8 pm

Quebec Premier François Legault announced on Thursday that the nightly COVID-19 curfew would be pushed back to 8 pm effective this weekend.

Legault says as of Sunday, April 11, the nightly curfew will revert to its original 8 pm time slot in Montreal and Laval.

In his second late-afternoon news conference of the week, Legault said after consulting with experts, “everybody is unanimously saying a rise in cases is coming to Montreal and Laval.”

The premier says the variant is more “dangerous and contagious than ever” and says the 8 pm curfew is a “preventative measure” to not overbear hospitals.

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Legault says the level of contagion is “very high” and expects it to spread even more. The premier has also prolonged the lockdown in Quebec City, Beauce, Lévis, and Gatineau until April 18th.

Non-essential businesses and schools are shut down in all four regions.

Ce soir, on annonce les nouvelles mesures sanitaires qui entreront en vigueur dans les prochains jours dans certaines régions du Québec.

🎥On fait le point en direct👉 https://t.co/o4Ee4j1BAr

— François Legault (@francoislegault) April 8, 2021

Legault said he understands some Quebecers are upset with the rules while others are asking for stricter measures.

“Public health continuously gives us recommendations, but at the end of the day, I am the one making decisions. I accept that responsibility.  If someone is not happy, there’s one person you can blame, and it’s me,” he said.

Legault said the vaccination numbers in Quebec are “encouraging” and urged all citizens to get the COVID-19 shots. “Go get vaccinated. It is our passport to freedom,” he said.