MONTREAL (Reuters) – The major Canadian province of Quebec, worst hit by the coronavirus, gradually began reopening its economy on Monday but pushed back plans for a restart in the city of Montreal, citing health concerns.
Quebec is allowing stores with an outside entrance for customers to serve customers but this does not apply to Montreal, Canada’s second-largest city. Quebec, which like the other nine provinces to declare health emergencies and shut down many businesses, is taking a lead in trying to return to normality.
Federal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urged caution as provincial governments balance the needs of the economy and public health.
“We still need to be extremely careful, not just for our seniors but for everyone around us. So don’t go out unless you absolutely have to,” he told reporters.
Retail establishments in Montreal were supposed to open on May 11 but premier Francois Legault said this had been put back to May 18 because there were not enough free hospital beds to cope with a possible surge of new cases.
Source: Reuters.com
