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Bars and restaurants across Quebec can expect a visit from police over the weekend, as coronavirus cases in the province continue to mount.
Quebec public security minister Geneviève Guilbault announced the news of increased police presence during an 11 a.m. press conference today.
“This is an operation that is massive, that is visible, and that will aim to detect some places where there may be some problems or violations,” Guilbault said, adding that police would be paying special attention to regions like Montreal that have been classified “yellow” or “early warning,” according to the province’s regional alert system.
Police will be dolling out infractions to businesses and clients flouting COVID-19 protocols, including failures to maintain 2 meters of physical distance between tables, operate at 50 percent capacity, and wear masks when circulating within the space.
“Every week, we see images in bars [and] dance floors that are full,” Guilbault said. “So we have to admit that there are some problematic situations in bars and in restaurants.”
Quebec health minister Christian Dubé announced yesterday that the sale of alcohol after midnight would be extended to all establishments, including restaurants. Earlier this week, Dubé declared a ban on bars serving food past midnight, a move he said targeted bars trying to circumvent the mandated midnight closing time during the pandemic.