COVID-19 in Quebec: Legault tells police to be 'less tolerant' of those not obeying restrictions
Quebec has 5,518 cases and 36 deaths attributable to COVID-19. There are 365 people in hospital, including 96 in intensive care.
Montreal remains the hardest hit region, with 2,642 cases — a jump of 545 cases since Wednesday.
More than 500 long-term care facilities in the province have reported at least one confirmed case.
Premier Francois Legault is asking police forces across the province to crack down on Quebecers who are ignoring the new rules aimed at slowing the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Legault said while most people are respecting physical-distancing directives, there are significant numbers of businesses that are still open and some people continuing to meet in large groups.
"If someone still thought this wasn't serious, it's time to wake up," Legault said at his daily news conference Thursday in Quebec City.
Quebec now has 5,518 cases and 36 deaths attributable to COVID-19. There are 365 people in hospital, including 96 in intensive care. In Montreal, there are now a total of 2,642 cases — a jump of 545 cases in a single day.
Legault said police across Quebec received some 7,000 calls Wednesday about potential violations of the rules against gathering in public. He reminded Quebecers people must stay two metres apart from each other, and they may not gather in groups.
Police in Quebec have been authorized to hand out fines ranging from $1,000 to $6,000 to anyone who violates the rules.
Outside of Montreal, officers are also enforcing travel restrictions in just about every region in the province, as authorities seek to limit the movement of people to an absolute minimum.
Quebec ready to pay cash for more medical supplies
Legault also used Thursday's news conference to strike a bullish tone as he explained Quebec's efforts to secure enough medical supplies — especially masks and gloves — for health-care workers on the front lines of the outbreak.
With most other countries facing similar shortages, competition is fierce for bulk orders of personal protective equipment. There have been reports in recent day of the U.S. outbidding and diverting shipments destined for other countries.
"We'll play the game," Legault said. "If [suppliers] want cash, we'll pay cash."
Health-care workers have complained about shortages of protective equipment, and earlier this week Legault acknowledged supplies had dwindled and what Quebec had on hand wouldn't last more than a week.
He said Thursday the scenario remains the same.
The premier also announced the province will boost the pay of health-care workers who are in contact with people who are infected with COVID-19.
More details about the pay raise — worth about $287 million — will be released at separate news conference later today.
"I think there is a group that has ever been more deserving of a pay raise," Legault said.
