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A Quebec politician says there are no plans to restrict travel to the Ottawa-Gatineau border crossings despite the new night curfew in Quebec and tougher restrictions on meetings.
Starting today, the province-wide curfew will be in effect from 10:00 pm to 5:00 am as Quebec fights an increase in COVID-19 infections caused by the Omicron variant. People who violate the curfew will face fines of up to $ 6,000.
Appearing on CTV Morning Live on Friday morning, MNA Christopher Skeete was asked if the Quebec government is considering new restrictions to limit non-essential travel to provincial boundaries.
“Nothing is planned at the moment,” said Skeete, who is the parliamentary secretary to Prime Minister François Legault.
“If you have a cottage in Quebec, come down. Please be careful and try to buy alongside Ontario if you can, just as a way to protect Ontario and Quebec on your own. You’re more than welcome to come and only limit your contacts while you’re here “.
Last April, Ontario restricted interprovincial travel from Manitoba and Quebec to deal with an increase in COVID-19 cases during the third wave. Quebec also imposed travel restrictions on the province from Ontario last spring, and police set up random checkpoints at intersections.
Quebec closed its borders to non-essential travel in the spring of 2020, and police established checkpoints on the Ottawa-Gatineau Passes to limit travel.
Skeete admits the overnight curfew is an “extreme measure,” but says attempts should be made to stop the transmission of COVID-19 and overwhelm the health care system.
“I’m also upset. Nobody here is happy with what we’ve had to do. The reality is that the Omicron variant is so transmissible that there’s a risk to our healthcare system,” Skeete said.
“It simply came to our notice then. with the number of people going to hospitals.
“If you combine it with the absences of health workers and other people from all walks of life, there is an increase in absences, then we have a capacity issue.”
NEW RESTRICTIONS ON QUEBEC
The Quebec government announced new restrictions on Gatineau and Quebec to try to stop the spread of COVID-19.
These are the new restrictions:
Curfew
From 31 December, a curfew will take effect from 10 pm to 5 am
People who violate the curfew are subject to fines ranging from $ 1,000 to $ 6,000.
Exceptions include:
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He is obliged to work or transport goods necessary for the work activities in progress
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Visit a hospital, clinic, dentist or optometrist’s office
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You go to a COVID-19 vaccination clinic
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Visiting a pharmacy
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You must visit a sick or injured parent
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Walking the dog
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Accompany a child to work
Social gatherings
From 5 pm on December 31, private meetings are prohibited in Gatineau and throughout Quebec.
Only people living in the same residence can meet in a home.
Restaurants and bars
From 5 pm on 31 December, the dining rooms of the restaurants will be closed.
Establishments can only offer guests takeaway, drive-thru and delivery.
