MONTREAL — Quebec’s curfew — in place since Jan. 9 — will be lifted this evening as the province begins relaxing measures aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19.

The curfew was originally set at 8 p.m. and more recently had been moved to 9:30 p.m., with violators subject to fines starting at $1,000 plus $550 in additional fees.

Restaurant patios across the province will also be permitted to reopen today after being closed in some parts of the province, including Montreal, since Oct. 1.

Some patio restrictions will remain, and in regions under the province’s two highest alert levels, groups will be limited to occupants of a single residence, or two adults with their minor children.

The new regulations will also allow outdoor gatherings of up to eight people on private property, and large venues will be able to host up to 2,500 people, though they will have to be divided into sections of 250 people with separate entrances and washrooms.

The new measures come as COVID-19 hospitalizations in Quebec have declined to their lowest level in more than six months.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 28, 2021.

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This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Facebook and Canadian Press News Fellowship.

The Canadian Press