Montreal (AFP)

The wearing of the mask will be mandatory from July 18 in all public places closed in Quebec, announced Monday the Premier of this province, the most affected by the epidemic of coronavirus in Canada.

Quebec, which has more than half of the approximately 108,000 cases recorded in Canada and nearly two thirds of the 8,800 deaths, thus becomes the first province in the country to impose such a measure.

"From Saturday, the mask will be mandatory everywhere in Quebec, in all closed public places like shops," said Prime Minister François Legault during a press conference.

Wearing a mask was until now simply "highly recommended". While the pandemic seems relatively contained for weeks in Quebec, "for a week we see that the number of cases has increased a little, that there is community transmission", explained Mr. Legault to justify this measure.

He indicated that this measure would mainly concern shops, restaurants, bars or theaters. Children under 12 and people with health problems are exempt.

Merchants will be responsible for enforcing the new obligation, failing which, after an adaptation period of two weeks, they are liable to a fine of 400 dollars, up to 6,000 Canadian dollars in the event of a repeat offense (250 at 3,800 euros).

The government is considering imposing fines also on recalcitrant citizens from August, according to Mr. Legault.

In restaurants and performance halls, customers will be able to remove their mask when seated, but will have to wear it each time they move.

The Legault government has acknowledged that it fears an American-style scenario, citing the example of Florida, which broke a record number of new cases on Sunday following a loosening of social distancing measures.

- Precautions -

This announcement comes on the day that wearing a mask became compulsory in public transportation throughout the province.

Last week, Montreal mayor Valérie Plante announced that she would make wearing a mask mandatory in public places closed from July 27.

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.

The Montreal region, the epicenter of the epidemic in Canada, has seen an increase in cases occurring among young people under the age of 39 in recent weeks.

Ontario, the most populous province in the country, announced Monday a new stage in its deconfinement, with the reopening of bars in most regions. The authorized limit for indoor gatherings will increase to 50 people.

However, the wearing of masks, which is compulsory in public places, currently only applies to Toronto and Ottawa.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in late June that Canada was preparing for a second wave of coronavirus, which could strike in the fall.

But while the epidemic seems to be contained throughout the country, unlike the American neighbor where the cases are exploding, the North American Hockey League has decided to resume its season next month ... in Canada.

Two Canadian cities have been chosen to host the matches: Toronto for the Eastern Conference and Edmonton, which is also expected to host the Stanley Cup in October, for the Western Conference.

© 2020 AFP