Quebec headed for full lockdown, curfews beginning Saturday: report

As health experts warn that the pandemic is out of control in Quebec and hospitalizations for COVID-19 continue to mount, Premier François Legault on Wednesday will announce a province-wide lockdown that will include curfews, La Presse reported on Tuesday.

Quoting sources within the government, the report says the lockdown will go into effect on Saturday, last three to four weeks and extend to schools, offices, construction work and all other activities and commercial operations except for those deemed essential such as food stores and pharmacies.

While Legault was expected to make the announcement on Tuesday, it was delayed  for 24 hours in order to meet with representatives of those sectors that will be affected and establish means to execute the lockdown in a coherent manner.

According to the report, provincial health officials want to impose a curfew that would begin at 8 p.m. or  9 p.m. and continue until morning. However, questions remain over how it could be applied, and the provincial public security ministry is examining what guidelines would be established.