Three more Quebec regions enter red zone COVID-19 alert level
Posted October 13, 2020 2:10 pm.
Last Updated October 13, 2020 2:17 pm.
MONTREAL (CITYNEWS) – Three more regions in Quebec are moving into the highest COVID-19 alert level, Premier Francois Legault announced Tuesday.
Monteregie, Centre-du-Quebec and Charlevoix are entering the so-called red zones. The Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region was increased to the orange zone as cases continue to increase in that area.
Nearly all the regions along the St. Lawrence River between Montreal and Quebec City are now subject to new restrictions.
(Credit: Quebec government)
“We’re seeing that the contagion has stopped increasing, but we must remain very cautious,” said Legault at Wednesday’s press conference. “It seems our efforts are paying off, but the virus is spreading in more regions.
“We must reduce indoor gatherings. We must continue to make sacrifices, save lives, keep our children in school, and save our health system.”
Bars, restaurant dining rooms and gyms in red zones must be closed, sports are limited and private citizens are not allowed to gather in private homes with anyone outside their household, with few exceptions.
Citizens are also discouraged from travelling to regions at lower alert levels or out of the province.
Legault: We will not be able to have big gatherings for months. #COVID19
— CityNews Montreal (@CityNewsMTL) October 13, 2020
“We have to live with the virus for many months and there is no magic recipe: we have to avoid gatherings,” said Legault. “Just like everyone else in the world is putting in measures to reduce social contacts, we are not the only ones living with the closures of restaurants, theatres, fewer activities, sports activities, fewer visits in homes.
“The solution is simple and complicated at the same time.”
Quebec added 815 new cases of the virus to its tally on Tuesday. Hospitalizations rose by 11 compared with the prior day, to 468, with 85 patients in intensive care, an increase of 10.
Legault urged Quebecers to download the COVID Alert smartphone app and input their diagnosis if they test positive for the virus.
“We all have a role to play,” said the premier.
–with files from The Canadian Press.
