Limit yourself to two gatherings during holiday period, Legault says

Premier Franois Legault has tightened the rules ofhis "moral contract" with Quebecers,asking the public to limit themselves to two gatheringsbetween Dec. 24 and 27.

Legault said last week that people could meet in groups of at most10iftheyquarantine themselves for a week before and a week after Christmas.

On Tuesday, Legault said people can only do that twice.

"Public health authorities told us that we have to limit ourselves to two gatherings," Legault said Tuesday.

Legault alsosaid shopping should be done seven days beforehand, if possible.

He added, as well,that Quebecers should "refrain from travelling outside Quebec" during the holidays to avoid returning with the virus.

Gatheringswill onlybe allowed over the holidaysif the number of daily cases and hospitalizations remainsstable, saidDr. Horacio Arruda, the province's public health director.

Arruda said, ideally, he would like to see a decrease in the daily numbers before the holiday season, given that an increase in transmission is expected over Christmas.

The province's case count has stubbornly remained above 1,000 for several weeks. On Tuesday, the province reported 1,124 cases and 45 deaths.