Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets for not respecting physical distancing

Quebec police were busy over the weekend enforcing the rules aimed at preventing the further spread of COVID-19.

The Sret du Qubecsaid theyhanded out of 157 tickets over the weekend, whileSPVMInsp. AndrDurochersaid officers in Montreal issued a total of 146 tickets.

"There are, unfortunately, people who are still not following the guidelines issued by authorities," Durocher said in an interview withRadio-Canada.

Police were given the power last Friday to issue fines directly to those who are not respecting the provincial ban on indoor and outdoor gatherings.

Quebec's director of criminal and penal prosecutions (DPCP) gavethose two police forcesthe power to issue $1,000fines the same way they would a speeding ticket.Prosecutors can set the fines as high as $6,000.

ADPCPspokesperson said logistical workneeds to be done before other forces in the province are granted the same powers.

But that limitation hasn't stopped some municipal police servicesfrom finding other ways to punish those who disobey public health orders.

Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, a city 40 kilometres southeast of Montreal, gave its police force the power to issue tickets as part of bylaw enforcement.

Tightened restrictions in parks

Durocher said police are also enforcingthe closure oftheparking lots at the top of Mount Royal in order to stop people from gathering there in large numbers.le Notre-Dame isalso closed.

He said officers noted that many people at downtown parks were from suburbs outside the city, raising concerns about the disease spreading further.

MayorValrie Plantesaid Sunday the measures were necessary in order to keep parks from becoming too crowdedfor Montrealerswho live in nearby apartment buildings or condominiums to be able to use them.

Access to green space will be essential to allow people to cope with an extended period without bars, restaurants and municipal facilities, she said. But if public-health directives aren't followed, she warned she would close other parks, as well.

For his part, Quebec Premier Franois Legaultsaid "the vast majority of Quebecers" are respecting the directives.

"I think it's a question of respecting your neighbours, respecting everybody. It's serious."