QUEBEC — Yesterday, Quebec Premier Francois Legault ordered the closure of the province’s gathering places such as bars, theatres, gyms and movie theatres. He also announced restaurants could stay open, but were being asked to limit the number of clients to 50-per-cent capacity.
The announcement came as the province brought in more-aggressive measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, following a rise in confirmed cases — from 24 to 35 — including two new cases in the Quebec City region, two in Mauricie – Centre du Quebec and two in the Monteregie region southeast of Montreal, as well as one non-resident who was tested in the province.
“What I say to Quebecers is we have to limit outings,” says Legault. “We should go out only to work, buy bread, go to the pharmacy, get health care, take a walk or go help people age 70 and up.”
He said the measure is directed at entertainment and recreation facilities, and did not extend to workplaces or stores for the moment.
Some of the province’s most-popular restaurants, including the iconic Joe Beef in Montreal, will close down indefinitely because of the coronavirus pandemic. On Saturday the owners of Joe Beef took to Instagram to say they would honour reservations for Saturday night but would close after that “[until] we have an all clear to proceed operations.”
The closing also affects Joe Beef’s sister restaurants Le Vin Papillon, Liverpool House and Vinette. However, the ownership says takeout and delivery service will be offered as of Tuesday.
