Quebec mulls spring break roadblocks to prevent COVID-19 spread

Quebec is contemplating the idea of setting uproadblocks during spring break to prevent non-essential travel to and fromregions andneighbouring provinces.

And highway checkpointsmay not be the only new restriction enacted during the upcoming school holidays.

The provincialgovernment is particularly concerned about the rise in COVID-19 variants,Public Security Minister Genevive Guilbault said on Wednesday.

Thus, several different measures are being considered, Guilbault saidany furtherrestrictions will be announced next week.

PremierFranois Legault said if the government does indeed opt fornew rules theywould goin effect during the last week of February or the first of March, depending on the region.

Though Quebec has detecteda relatively small number of cases involving highly contagious variants, Ontario has the highest concentration of the more infectious viral strains first identifiedin the United Kingdom and South Africa.

'Resources will neverbe an issue'

As recently as a week ago, the provinceindicatedroadblocks were not likelybecause Quebec's police forces needed to focus on enforcing the 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfewinstead.

However, Guilbault said Wednesday the government is determined todo whatever is required to keep the population safe, even if it means using "other types of professionals" to assist in the effort.

"Resources will never be an issue," she said. she said. "If the measure is deemed necessary, we [will] arrange to have it applied."

Quebec has roughly 15,000 police officers spread across the province.

The National Assembly's three opposition parties say the governmentshould present its plans clearly so the population knows exactly what to expect.

"What I am asking today is to avoid confusion," said Liberal MNAIsabelle Melanon."If it takes roadblocks, if we must prevent people from moving from one region to another, well, let'sdo it. But let it be clear."

Qubec solidaire's Gabriel Nadeau-Duboisalso supported the idea of roadway controls, sayingthe government cannot allow people to simply travelas they wish during spring break.

Pascal Brub, ofthe Parti Qubcois, saidthe Coalition Avenir Qubecgovernment muststop worrying about displeasing the population. The time has comefor the government to make adecision, he said.

No matter what Quebec decides, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reiteratedon Wednesday that border control between provinces is the responsibility of provincial governments.

"The provinces and territories may very well decide what measures at their own borders are necessary," said Trudeau, vowing to support provinces in the effort to prevent further transmission of COVID-19.