Quebec to ban dancing in nightclubs

Dancing will be banned in Quebec nightclubs from Monday to tackle the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 as cases rise in the region.

Dancing, karaoke and office parties are “forbidden” in the province says Premier François Legault as they are seen as “high-risk activities” that “bring outbreaks”.

This is just one of the new measures brought in by the Premier in a press conference on Thursday.

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Places of worship and businesses must reduce their capacity to 50% and expanded holiday gatherings have been cancelled as the limit of people allowed in homes is set to 10.

Premier Legault said: "We have to be able to reduce contacts," and added: "Since the start, for 21 months, Quebec has been one of the places where the restrictions have been the most severe. We’re going to continue to do this. We’ll continue to make sure we react quickly."

On Thursday Quebec reported having 2,736 new COVID-19 cases - the highest in a single day since early January.

Montreal officials called on Wednesday for the population to exercise extra ahead of the expected continuing increase in case numbers.

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Regional Public Health Director Dr. Mylène Drouin said: "The current situation in Montreal is not really what we were planning or expecting two weeks before Christmas," and continued: "I think it commands us to be more agile and resilient facing the Omicron situation."

[Via: MTL BLOG]

Becky Buckle is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow her on Twitter