Quebec’s curfew intended to slow the spread of COVID-19 began on Saturday evening as the infection rate continued to surge in the province.
The 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.
READ MORE: Police issue fines as Quebec curfew takes effect, cases continue to rise
Here’s a look at what the first night of the newly enacted curfew looked like in 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
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
An empty Sainte-Catherine Street is shown in Montreal, Saturday, January 9, 2021.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
A car is pulled over by a police cruiser in Montreal, Saturday, January 9, 2021.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
A man is stopped by police as he walks along a street in Montreal, Saturday, January 9, 2021.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
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
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.
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.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot
An empty Turcot Interchange is shown in Montreal, Saturday, January 9, 2021.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
An empty Turcot Interchange is shown in Montreal, Saturday, January 9, 2021.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
A clock shown shortly after 8 p.m on the corner of an empty street in Montreal, Saturday, January 9, 2021.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
