Quebec shutting down non-essential businesses as of Christmas Day
Quebec Premier François Legault announced new restrictions for the province in an attempt to neutralize the transmission of COVID-19 and the healthcare system.
Legault ordered all non-essential businesses to shut down from December 25 to January 11, leaving only banks, grocery stores, gas stations, pharmacies, hardware stores, garages, and pet stores.
Students across the province will be learning remotely until January 11. Legault says all office employees will be required to work from home until the same time.
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Even while restrictions are being tightened, Legault said outdoor activities will be relaxed a bit, assuming everyone follows the two-metre distance guidelines and wears face masks.
Ski lessons and outdoor hockey games will be permitted (with a maximum of eight people), but outdoor gatherings will not be.
Dans cette 2e vague, le Québec continue de mieux s’en sortir que les États-Unis et que la plupart des pays d’Europe. C’est grâce aux efforts des Québécois. Mais on doit se donner toutes les chances de protéger nos travailleurs de la santé. Notre point de p https://t.co/iLEqjhsPFM
— François Legault (@francoislegault) December 15, 2020
Personal services such as hair and nail salons, tattoo parlours, and spas must be closed during the same two-week period. Legault says big stores “like Walmart and Costco” are being asked not to sell non-essential products, in the hopes people will seek them out from small businesses once the two-week lockdown is over.
Legault says Quebecers “are in the last stretch” of combatting the COVID-19 virus and said we will “have a great start” to 2021.