Montreal police received over 900 calls about COVID-19 rule-breaking last week

Montreal police were swarmed with phone calls from citizens claiming COVID-19 public health guidelines weren’t being followed over the past week.

According to the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM), 903 calls were made during the week of December 28 to January 3 from neighbours and locals worried about Montrealers breaking pandemic protocols.

The SPVM says police officers issued 16 tickets and general infractions throughout the past week, and another 289 could be handed out after their files are analyzed from over the holidays.

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In December, Quebec Premier François Legault said the warning period is “over for Quebecers” who defy the COVID-19 health and safety guidelines and says an “increased police presence” will be cracking down on rule-breakers.

Legault says police will be instructed to issue tickets up to $6,000 for individuals and businesses who don’t follow guidelines.

Données #COVID19 | Du 28 décembre au 3 janvier, le #SPVM a reçu 903 appels en lien avec l’application du décret de la Santé publique. Les policiers ont remis 16 constats ou RIG et 289 autres pourraient être remis pour la période des fêtes, après l’analyse des dossiers. pic.twitter.com/6R7g7YOJhU

— Police Montréal (@SPVM) January 5, 2021

As of Christmas Day, all non-essential businesses were shut down across the province until at least January 11, leaving only banks, grocery stores, gas stations, pharmacies, hardware stores, garages, and pet stores open for the time being.

As for citizens, Quebecers are prohibited from having indoor gatherings, must wear masks indoors, and keep a two-metre distance from others.

Montreal police did not comment on fine amounts of the 16 offences.