In his announcement, Quebec Premier Francois Legault said Thursday that the policy would take effect at 10 p.m. Friday, while warning that an increase in coronavirus cases affected by Omicron could overwhelm the healthcare system in that region.
“If we do nothing, there is a real risk that our hospitals will be overwhelmed in the next few weeks and that we will no longer be able to treat everyone,” he said in a tweet. RTFriday (12/31).
He added that officials needed to act quickly and deal a heavy blow to the virus.
Local media reported that the government would also extend the 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew, and anyone seen outside their homes during that time could be asked by authorities to explain where they are going. Violators can be fined $1,000 to $6,000.
The government also suspended all sports and indoor dining on Thursday, while limiting the capacity of places of worship to 25 people, except for funerals.
Legault maintains that Quebec is facing the worst weeks of the pandemic so far, pointing to a record number of daily infections, which is expected to exceed 16,000 on Friday alone.
“I admit we are all tired of the lockdown, but it is my responsibility to protect citizens by justifying the new restrictions,” he said.
Canada’s most populous province, Ontario, also lowered capacity limits at some indoor sites on Thursday following concerns about Omicron.
“Pop culture fanatic. Introvert. Devoted food trailblazer. Bacon geek. Lifelong coffee evangelist.”