Montreal’s bars, restaurants, theatres to close for 28 days, home visits prohibited

As the second COVID-19 wave continues to hit Montreal, Premier François Legault has announced tough new restrictions set to kick in this Thursday. Montreal’s restaurants, bars, and theatres will have to close for 28 days — restaurants will only be able to offer takeout or delivery options. In addition, private home visits will be prohibited, unless the person lives alone. Schools will remain open for the time being.

The new restrictions place Montreal in the “red zone,” or highest level of alarm. Today’s announcement comes after a dramatic rise in COVID-19 cases in Montreal; Quebec added 750 news cases today alone.

The annual FNC film festival is slated to run from October 7-18, with a number of in-theatre screenings, which may have to be cancelled or moved to an online platform given the new restrictions. It’s unclear if outdoor venues (like the Royalmount Drive-In) will be affected by today’s new.

Update: Libraries and casinos are also closed.

Stay tuned for further details on today’s announcement, and stay safe.