Montreal: In a bid to contain virus spread ahead of imminent third wave of Covid-19, Quebec proceeded with the first of three planned closures of non-essential retail stores Sunday.
Hospitals and health-care resources in Quebec and Canada’s remote northern communities are also being stretched as case numbers explode due to rise in Omicron virant.
Quebec Premier Francois Legault announced last week that the bulk of the province’s stores would be closed for the next three Sundays, with the exception of pharmacies, convenience stores and gas stations.
“The last thing businesses need during these difficult times is additional restrictions” Milliard said in a statement. “We must leave the choice to businesses to open or close at the time that makes the most sense for them, their employees and their customers.”The closures came as Quebec reported 15,845 new COVID-19 cases, as well as 13 additional deaths linked to the virus.
The Health Department said the number of hospitalizations linked to the disease rose by 70 to 1,231. It said 162 people are in intensive care, an increase of nine.