Quebec Begins Sunday Store Closures

The city of Quebec, Canada, has begun the first of three scheduled closures of non-essential retail stores in an effort to reduce the spread of the Omicron variant of Covid, reports NPR.

Premier Francois Legault announced that most stores – with the exception of pharmacies, c-stores and gas stations – will be closed for the next three Sundays. Quebec recently reported 15,845 new cases and, according to the health department, hospitalizations linked to these cases are up exponentially.

Charles Milliard, president of the Quebec Federation of Chambers of Commerce, objects to the closures, citing already trying economic times. “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.”