This article is more than 3 years old and some information may not be up to date.
A clock reading 8 p.m is shown on the corner of an empty street in Montreal, Saturday, January 9, 2021, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues in Canada and around the world. The Quebec government has imposed a curfew to help stop the spread of COVID-19 starting at 8 p.m until 5 a.m and lasting until February 8.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
Quebec’s curfew intended to slow the spread of COVID-19 began on Saturday evening as the infection rate continues to surge in the province.
Story continues below advertisement
The provincewide curfew is in effect from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for at least the next four weeks — until Feb. 8. Aside from a short list of essential exceptions, anyone out between those hours could face police questions and stiff fines ranging from $1,000 to $6,000.
Here’s a look at what the first night of the newly enacted curfew looked like on the streets of Montreal and Quebec City.
A woman holds her cell phone as an emergency broadcast reminds Quebec residents about the upcoming curfew on Saturday, January 9, 2021. Quebec is the first province to enact a curfew to the prevent the spread of COVID-19.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
View full screen
An empty Robert Bourassa Boulevard is shown in Montreal, Saturday, January 9, 2021. The Quebec government has imposed a curfew to help stop the spread of COVID-19 starting at 8 p.m until 5 a.m and lasting until February 8.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
View full screen
An empty Turcot Interchange is shown in Montreal, Saturday, January 9, 2021.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
View full screen
An empty Sainte-Catherine Street is shown in Montreal, Saturday, January 9, 2021.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
View full screen
A man is stopped by police as he walks along a street in Montreal, Saturday, January 9, 2021.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
View full screen
A man is arrested by police after 8 p.m. as a curfew begins in the province of Quebec to counter the spread of COVID-19 on Saturday, January 9, 2021 in Quebec City. A handful of demonstrators walked downtown to protest the curfew.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot
A police officer, right, notes the identity of two men after 8 p.m. as a curfew begins in the province of Quebec to counter the spread of COVID-19 on Saturday, January 9, 2021 in Quebec City. A handful of demonstrators walked downtown to protest the curfew.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot
View full screen
The Sous-le-Fort street is deserted as a curfew begins in the province of Quebec to counter the spread of COVID-19 on Saturday, January 9, 2021 in Quebec City.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot.
View full screen
A lone man walks his dog in the middle of a deserted old Quebec street as a curfew begins in the province of Quebec to counter the spread of COVID-19 on Saturday, January 9, 2021 in Quebec City. As part of the exceptions, people can walk their dogs within a one-kilometre radius outside of their homes.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot