Montreal police received nearly 600 calls about people breaking COVID-19 restrictions

Montreal police have been swarmed with phone calls since the city has been categorized as a “red zone” under the government’s new COVID-19 alert system.

According to the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM), 589 calls were made during the week of November 2 to 8 from neighbours and locals worried about Montrealers breaking public health’s COVID-19 guidelines.

The SPVM says police officers issued 179 red zone violation infractions due to the calls and inspected seven “licensed establishments,” 101 schools, and 293 “other locations.”

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Montreal will continue to be placed under red zone protocols until at least November 23, with “maximum restrictions,” including the prohibiting of gatherings and non-essential activities.

Données #COVID19 | Du 2 au 8 novembre, le #SPVM a reçu 589 appels en lien avec l’application du décret de la Santé publique. Les policiers ont remis 179 constats ou RIG, en plus d’inspecter 7 établissements licenciés, 101 établissements scolaires et 293 lieux autres. pic.twitter.com/wntAwiOdnZ

— Police Montréal (@SPVM) November 9, 2020

At the end of September, Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante pleaded with Montrealers to “limit their social contacts and follow the instructions announced by public health. Evenings with friends, family dinner, visits — it’s not the time.”

Montreal police did not comment on fine amounts of the 179 offences.