Quebec's rising COVID-19 cases could prompt another lockdown, premier warns

Premier FranoisLegaultsounded the alarm Monday about the increasing number of COVID-19 casesin the provinceand warned Quebecers that he will be forced to re-impose lockdown measures if they don't start obeying public-health rules more diligently.

"There's been a general slacking on the rules in Quebec," said Legault at a press conference Monday.

"People are returning to work, and with the temperature, we will gradually spend more time indoors. ...There is a challenge ahead of us, and it is important for us to be more disciplined."

The number of new cases has been rising for two weeks in Quebec. According to Legault, public-health officialshave not been able to identify a single cause.

But he alsosaid that too manyQuebecershave been taking a lax approach tomaintaininghealth and safety guidelines in recent weeks.

He pointed to several potential contributing factors for the spike, includingthe resumption of sports and the reopening ofbars andindoor private gatherings.

Legault raised the prospect of closing schools if the number of new cases continues to rise. Most schools are just reopening now for the first time since March.

WATCH |Legault says all Quebecers play a role in preventing a second wave:

Legault says next few weeks are key in preventing second wave

4 years ago

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Premier Franois Legault says to avoid the kind of shutdown seen last spring happening again, all Quebecers must follow the safety guidelines.

"Above all, I do not want to close the schools," Legault said. "We owe this to our children. In order for our children to stay in school, we have to be careful."

There have been a few outbreaks in schools since classes started last week. By the second day of back to school for thousands of students, 20 teachers were in quarantine in the Laurentians, one school was temporarily shut downand students in several schools were sent home.

Legault said Friday that though the situation is not ideal, only a "very small number" of students were affected, out of hundreds of thousands who returned to classrooms.

Starting Sept. 14, students will also be able to resume extracurricular activities, such as sports and music, outside of their bubbles.

Health minister calls out unacceptable behaviour

Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubsaid he is not ruling out putting in place punitive measures against people who flout health and safety guidelines.

Dub said those who are gathering in large numbers may notrealize how dangerous their actions can be to the public, with someacting in what he called unacceptable ways.

One example of such irresponsible behaviour, he said, was a karaoke night in which a microphone was passed around among friends. That gathering caused at least 10 cases of coronavirus, with more expected to be confirmed later today.

While thenumber of cases have increased,the number of hospitalizations and deaths have not gone up accordingly, possibly because more young people are getting infected.

"Young people are less at risk of serious consequences," Legault said. "But we must not rule out the possibility that they will then infect others who are more vulnerable."

Legault called on Quebecers to avoid indoor private gatherings, even among family members or friends,in the coming weeks.