Quebec steps up measures in light of growing case counts: curfew, closure of dining rooms, business closures on Sundays

Last week, Quebec announced several additional initiatives aimed at helping to curb the spread of COVID.

• End of private gatherings (limit of 1 family bubble).
• Closure of restaurant dining rooms
  • Delivery and take-out allowed.
• All businesses (except pharmacies, convenience stores, and gas stations) will close on Sundays (January, 9 and 16, 2022).
  • Customers will not be able to access businesses although employees will be able to enter in order to work.
  • Grocery deliveries will be allowed on Sundays.
  • All delivery services will be allowed on Sundays.
  • Curbside pickup however will NOT be allowed on Sundays.
• Curfew throughout Quebec from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
  • All businesses will have to cease operations no later than 9:30 p.m., except pharmacies and convenience stores selling gasoline.
  • Groceries and meal deliveries will still be allowed.
  • Only travel to or from work will be permitted. In case of verification as to why there is travel during curfew hours, an employee should have “proof” of work, including (non-exhaustive list):
    • A letter of attestation from the employer (the form used during the winter of 2021 is still valid; the example is available online).
    • The phone number of a superior.
    • An official company document that is difficult to reproduce (for example, a pay stub).
    • An employee card.
    • Wearing a work uniform is also recommended.
• The return to in-person learning at all levels of education is delayed to January 17, 2022.
• Regular childcare services will remain open and childcare services in schools will be accessible only to workers in essential sectors.
• A essential worker may, as a last resort, anticipate his or her return to work if he or she is COVID positive and asymptomatic. The disruption of service must be real and have a detrimental impact on the communities served or other critical services of a service chain. A reduction in services or a temporary closure with economic consequences for an establishment are not valid reasons in this respect. 

Vaccination:

• Opening of 3rd dose vaccination to those 18-59 years of age beginning January 4, 2022 (by age group).
• More details on vaccination within companies will be sent to us at the beginning of January.

For more information, visit the Government of Quebec’s website or consult the official press release (in French).