Quebec, the province hardest hit by the novel coronavirus, reported no new deaths on Monday for the first time since the crisis first struck in March.
The death toll remains at 5,417 — the highest in Canada. Quebec also recorded 69 new cases from the previous day, for a total of 54,835.
The number of hospitalizations is also on the decline, with 520 people in hospital. Of them, 57 people were in intensive care, a decrease of four from the previous day.
Montreal, which has been the epicentre of the virus’s outbreak in Canada, reported 15 new infections on Monday. It has seen 27,057 cases since the pandemic began.
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After three months of restrictions and closures, several sectors are reopening in the province as the government continues to ease measures aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus.
Gyms, cinemas, concert venues, indoor pools and other indoor sports venues across the province have been given the green light to resume operations. A maximum capacity of 50 people is permitted for indoor gatherings.
Such venues will also be subject to physical-distancing measures, however, to contain the virus.
Day camps are set to open for the summer season on Monday. The province has relaxed the social-distancing rule for children under the age of 16 to one metre instead of two.
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In the Greater Montreal area, restaurant dining rooms are allowed to open again, though they will be operating at reduced capacity. Some restaurants have also chosen to wait to welcome clients back and remain closed.
Montrealers can also return their refundable bottles and cans as the recycling deposit program resumes in the region.
Quebec has been hit hardest by the health crisis, but the daily numbers of new cases and deaths are slowly starting to decline.
— With files from Global News’ Kwabena Oduro and the Canadian Press
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