Quebec to crack down on bars that break rules

MONTREAL • Quebec on Friday said police would target more than 1,000 bars and restaurants to enforce rules curbing the spread of coronavirus, as authorities raised the alarm over a possible second wave.

Police would issue tickets to offenders and alert public health authorities if there are multiple infractions at an establishment, said Quebec’s Public Security Minister, Genevieve Guilbault.

“We have to use every tool and every gesture at our disposal to avoid a second wave in Quebec,” she said.

The announcement came on the same day that Bloc Québécois leader Yves-francois Blanchet revealed he tested positive for COVID-19.

Blanchet said in a statement that he feels healthy and will stay in isolation at his Shawinigan, Que., home until Sept. 26.

Quebec’s public health rules say a person who tests positive but doesn’t have serious symptoms must stay isolated for 10 days.

Blanchet’s wife, Nancy Deziel, tested positive for the illness earlier this week.

The public security ministry called the bars check a “vast police operation” that will target establishments with alcohol permits.

“If activities happening in an establishment represent a risk to public health, officers can notify the public health department who can take the necessary measures,” the press release states. “Furthermore, if officers note infractions, they can issue tickets.”

Officials have assigned a militaristic acronym to the weekend check-ins: operation OSCAR, a French acronym that translates to “systematic operation against risky behaviour.”

On Thursday, Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé mandated that all establishments with alcohol permits stop serving alcohol at midnight. Health officials have noted alcohol reduces inhibitions and tends to make it less likely people will keep their distance from one another and follow public health guidelines.

Eight regions, including Montreal, Laval and Montérégie, which includes the South Shore, are in a state of early warning.

Quebec requires masks to be worn inside public places and has banned dancing and karaoke in clubs.

Quebec and Ontario blame a recent spike in cases on people ignoring limits on parties and regulations on social distancing.

On Friday, Quebec reported 297 new cases of COVID-19 and one additional death.

The province has had a total of 66,653 cases and 5,792 deaths linked to the novel coronavirus.

Authorities say that 58,218 people are considered recovered.

Public health officials reiterated warnings that they might lose the ability to manage the pandemic.

Canada reported an additional 1,120 coronavirus cases and seven deaths on Thursday, the second time this week that positive diagnoses have risen by more than 1,000 in 24 hours.