Our friends in the Pontiac are about to go on lockdown. With the growing number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, the Quebec government has announced a series of measure it hopes will slow the virus’s spread over the holiday period. Beginning tomorrow (dec17) and continuing until January 11th, the province’s yellow zones will be upgraded to orange and orange zones to red, including the MRC Pontiac — with restaurant dining rooms, gyms, museums and theatres shutting down as a result.
Most retailers will be shut down between Dec. 25 and Jan. 11, doing away with in-person Boxing Day shopping. The rest of the restrictions are also expected to be lifted Jan. 11.
Grocery stores, pharmacies, banks, hardware stores and pet stores will be allowed to remain open. Big box stores will be allowed to open but will be restricted to selling essential goods, such as groceries and pharmacy products.
Provincially run liquor stores and cannabis stores will also remain open.
Dentists, optometrists and other health services will be allowed to stay open, but hair salons, spas and manicurists will have to close starting Dec. 25.
Elementary schools will not reopen, as originally planned, on Jan. 4, but schools would supply students with homework and some distance learning.
All students, from elementary and high schools, should be back in class Jan. 11.
Daycares will remain open, but officials are urged all parents who can keep their children home to do so. School daycares will be open only for children of essential workers.
