Canadian provinces tighten restrictions, limit testing, curfew in Quebec

TORONTO — Several Canadian provinces Thursday tightened restrictions amid an omicron-fueled increase in coronavirus cases that has overwhelmed testing and tracing systems and pushed the seven-day average of new cases in the country up 141 percent over the previous week.

In Quebec, the hardest-hit province, Premier François Legault announced that a curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. will begin Friday. Restaurants will be limited to takeout only, and private gatherings will be barred. Places of worship must close, except for funerals no larger than 25 people.

“Our experts tell us there’s a risk that we won’t be able to treat all those who need it in the coming weeks,” Legault told reporters. “I know we’re all tired, but it’s my responsibility to protect us all from this.”

The province previously implemented a curfew in January and lifted it in May.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/12/30/covid-omicron-variant-live-updates/#link-5Q62E333VVB7XNQUHAXGGV2SFQ