MONTREAL—Starting today, Quebec becomes the first province in Canada to require mask−wearing in all indoor public places.
The new directive, which applies to people aged 12 and older, comes into force as tens of thousands of Quebecers begin the traditional two−week construction holiday.
Businesses will be expected to enforce the new rules and are subject to fines of between $400 and $6,000 if their customers are caught violating the directive.
Some Quebecers have joined protests against the new edict, arguing the government shouldn’t have a blanket policy when most regions outside Montreal weren’t deeply affected by COVID−19.
But Dr. Horacio Arruda, Quebec’s director of public health, has responded by stating all Quebecers should get in the habit of wearing masks to prepare for a possible second wave of the virus in the fall.
Quebec has seen a slight resurgence in COVID−19 cases in recent days, which Premier Francois Legault has said is due, in part, to house parties.
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