Quebec announces province-wide curfew to curb rising case load and allows curbside pickup for all retail

Due to the increase in cases of COVID-19 in pasts weeks and the large amount of contaminations observed during the holiday season, the Quebec government has announced a series of additional containment measures for the entire province of Quebec. The new measures will start on Saturday, January 9, 2021 for a period of 4 weeks, until February 8, 2021.

Grocery stores, big box stores, pharmacies, hardware stores, pet stores, convenience stores and restaurants for take out and delivery will be able to remain open.
- Only traffic areas will be open in shopping centers to ensure access to businesses that are not affected by the closures.
- Measures regarding restrictions on the number of people admitted to shops remain the same (floor area accessible to customers in m² ÷ by 20 m²).
Only the sale of “essential” products is allowed in-store: items used for health, hygiene, safety, repair and food.
ALL products from all retailers are permitted for car pick up and curbside delivery.
No restrictions on online sales and deliveries.
A curfew will be in place from 8 pm to 5 am daily.
- All shops that can be opened must cease operations by 7:30 pm, except for drug stores/pharmacies and convenience stores.
- Only essential workers will be allowed to travel to their workplace at any time. Although there is no specific documentation required to certify the validity of a trip, we invite you to produce an official document attesting to the status of your employees.
- Food deliveries from grocery stores must be done by 8 pm.

All distribution centers and warehouses will be able to operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, subject to strict compliance with CNESST standards.
Construction and manufacturing will have to stick to activities deemed essential.
Daycare and childcare remain open.
Work from home mandatory.
The return of primary school students will take place on January 11, 2021 and high school students on January 18, 2021.

More details to come.

The CCCD team is continuing its efforts to:

Ensure as much flexibility as possible regarding curbside pickup.
To ensure the cooperation of law enforcement / police services in the management of problematic customers.
Ensure greater flexibility in the opening hours of businesses that may remain open to the public.
Allow maximum in-store activity without customer presence.
The introduction of simple, timely and effective financial support, including support measures for non-essential businesses that would like to receive assistance with e-commerce.

Update Jan 7, 2021

Today, the government of Quebec provided details concerning the curfew that will be in effect from Saturday, January 9, 2021, until Monday, February 8, 2021.

Here is an excerpt:

Curfew

As of Saturday, January 9, 2021, a curfew will be in effect. Between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. Quebecers must not leave their homes except in cases that justify travel.

Allowed exceptions:

a person whose presence in the workplace is essential;
- ***Download certificate to travel during curfew. (French only)***
a person who must obtain the necessary medications following a medical appointment;
a person who must go to or return from a hospital, a clinic, or a dentist’s or optometrist’s office;
a person who must visit a sick or injured parent;
a student who must participate in a face-to-face evening class or go to a laboratory in a recognized school;
a parent who must accompany his or her children to the home of the other parent who has custody of them;
a person returning home on a night flight from a work-related trip abroad;
a person who must go out so that his dog can do its business;
a person who must accompany to a medical appointment another person who is unable to drive;
a parent who must accompany a sick child to the hospital;
a parent who must accompany an adolescent to his work.

Police officers will continue to ensure compliance with health measures and can intervene when individuals are outside their homes during curfew hours. Offenders are liable to fines ranging from $1 000 to $6 000 if they are unable to adequately justify why they are outside the home. Young people 14 years of age and over are subject to a $500 fine.

To enable individuals who are travelling during the curfew because of their work to readily demonstrate that such travel is legitimate, employers are asked to complete the “Attestation de l’employeur – Déplacement durant le couvre-feu décrété par le gouvernement du Québec” (available only in French).

Download certificate to travel during curfew. (French only)

For more information, visit the government of Quebec website or contact Marc Fortin, President CCCD Québec at 514-833-5973, or Jean Francois Belleau, Director governemental affairs CCCD Québec at 514-210-1709.