Quebec begins retail store closures amid new COVID-19 wave

https://www.npr.org/2022/01/03/ [login to see] /quebec-begins-retail-store-closures-amid-new-covid-19-wave
Quebec proceeded with the first of three planned closures of non-essential retail stores Sunday as the provincial government tried to curb a new wave of COVID-19 driven by the highly infectious Omicron variant.

Hospitals and health-care resources in Quebec and Canada's remote northern communities are also being stretched as case numbers explode.

Quebec Premier Francois Legault announced last week that the bulk of the province's stores would be closed for the next three Sundays, with the exception of pharmacies, convenience stores and gas stations.

Charles Milliard, president of the Quebec Federation of Chambers of Commerce, urged the government to lift the measures as soon as possible.

"The last thing businesses need during these difficult times is additional restrictions" Milliard said in a statement. "We must leave the choice to businesses to open or close at the time that makes the most sense for them, their employees and their customers."

The closures came as Quebec reported 15,845 new COVID-19 cases, as well as 13 additional deaths linked to the virus.