Montreal (AFP)
Quebec, the Canadian province most affected by the coronavirus, will make it mandatory to wear a mask in public places closed from Saturday, several media reports on Monday.
Quebec Premier François Legault is to make the announcement during his press briefing at the start of the afternoon, according to La Presse and Radio-Canada.
The measure should concern businesses and sports centers as well as bars and restaurants, in this province which accounts for almost two thirds of the approximately 8,800 deaths recorded in Canada, according to these media.
The traders who will welcome people not wearing a mask will face a fine of 1,000 to 6,000 Canadian dollars (650 to 3,900 euros) but citizens will not be punished, say the newspaper and the public channel.
Recommended so far, wearing a mask has become mandatory on Monday in public transport across the province.
Last week, Montreal mayor Valérie Plante announced that she would make it mandatory to wear a mask in public places closed from July 27, following in Toronto and Ottawa where this measure already applies.
In addition, the health authorities of the city of Montreal on Saturday called people who have frequented the bars of the Quebec metropolis since the beginning of the month to be tested for the new coronavirus.
Contagious customers or employees have visited at least five Montreal establishments since July 1, despite the precautions taken.
This situation in bars comes as the Montreal region, epicenter of the epidemic in Canada, has seen an increase in cases occurring among young people under 39 in recent weeks.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in late June that Canada was preparing for a second wave of coronavirus, which could strike in the fall.
© 2020 AFP