Updated health orders to be shaped by variant fears: Quebec health minister

MONTREAL — Premier Francois Legault is scheduled this evening to announce updated COVID-19 restrictions that will apply after March 8.

Quebec reported the lowest daily number of new COVID-19 infections since September on Tuesday morning.

Health Minister Christian Dube, however, told reporters that afternoon he is scared about the spread of new coronavirus variants, particularly in the Montreal area, and that it may be the calm before the storm.

Dube said those worries will shape today’s announcement.

Quebec allowed movie theatres, arenas and some indoor swimming pools to reopen on Friday, a move intended to offer activities for families during the province’s spring break week, which began Monday.

An 8 p.m. curfew and a ban on private gatherings remain in effect in southern Quebec — including in Montreal and Quebec City. A 9:30 p.m. curfew applies in the rest of the province, except the northern region of Nunavik.

This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Facebook and Canadian Press News Fellowship.