'Not the time to slack off our efforts,' says Montreal's mayor, as COVID cases decline at last
Mayor Valérie Plante says citizens must still do their part by respecting public health guidelines
With most retail outlets in the city opening Monday, Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante says 60 extra inspectors will be checking on shops to ensure all the new work-safety standards are in place to prevent further spread of COVID-19.
Although shopping malls have not yet been given the green light, stores with direct access to the street will be allowed to reopen.
"This is good news," said Plante at a briefing Thursday, encouraging people to continue to follow public health directives while out in public.
"This is not the time to slack off with our efforts," she said. "Face-coverings must be part of our habit."
The city has received an order of more than 20,000 face coverings, and 30,000 more are on the way. The plan is to hand them out to people who don't have their own, especially those who might not be able to afford them, as they go into tight public spaces like the Metro.
Most are being delivered to east-end boroughs that are COVID-19 hot spots, such as Montréal-Nord and Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, Plante said.
