Quebec government cancels plan to allow holiday gatherings
MONTREAL – The Legault government is cancelling its plan to allow holiday gatherings over four days at Christmas.
WATCH: Premier François Legault cancels Quebec’s plan to allow gatherings for Christmas. Last month, the government said if the situation remained stable, it would allow up to two gatherings of up to 10 people each between Dec.24-27. pic.twitter.com/7AgGLtLp8z
— CityNews Montreal (@CityNewsMTL) December 3, 2020
Premier Francois Legault announced Thursday that in the province’s red zones, which cover most of the province, multi-household gatherings of up to 10 people will no longer be allowed over Christmas.
The Quebec government on Nov. 19 gave the green light to the get-togethers between Dec. 24 and Dec. 27, on the condition that people isolate for a week before and a week after.
Legault says he trusts Quebecers’ sense of responsibility and believes they will follow these new directives.
Fines will, however, be issued for those who defy these directives.Advertisement
— CityNews Montreal (@CityNewsMTL) December 3, 2020
But with COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths on the rise and a health system deemed fragile due to a lack of staffing, Legault said it’s not realistic to think the numbers will go down sufficiently by Christmas.
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Legault said when the decision was made to allow the gatherings, officials hoped case numbers would drop.
The premier hinted Tuesday the plan could be in jeopardy and said public health officials had given themselves until Dec. 11 to decide.
