Here’s how COVID-19 rules differ in Ottawa and Gatineau
Authorities in Quebec and Ontario have both instituted a fresh round of public health restrictions due to the spread of the COVID-19 Omicron variant.
For residents of Ottawa and Gatineau, that means things look a little different on the other side of the river.
Here is a breakdown of the restrictions on each side of the river.
CURFEW
The main difference in restrictions on the Ottawa and Gatineau sides of the river: Quebec’s curfew.
Quebec has a curfew in effect from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. It came into effect on Dec. 31 and violators can face fines of up to $6,000.
Ontario has no curfew.
GATHERINGS
In Ottawa, social gatherings are limited to five people indoors and 10 people outdoors.
In Gatineau, gatherings in homes are prohibited except for single people who can join another family bubble.
RESTAURANTS AND BARS
Indoor dining is not allowed in Ontario or Quebec. Restaurants in both provinces may remain open for takeout and delivery.
In Ontario, outdoor dining is allowed with restrictions.
WEDDINGS, FUNERALS AND RELIGIOUS SERVICES
In Ontario, crowds at indoor weddings, funerals and religious services will be limited to 50 per cent capacity. Outdoor services are limited to the number of people that can maintain two metres of physical distance.
In Quebec, places of worship must close other than for funerals with a maximum of 25 people.
Outdoor weddings are allowed outside with a 250-person maximum.
STORES
In Ontario, retail stores including shopping malls can stay open at 50 per cent capacity.
In Quebec, stores are limited to 50 per cent capacity. On Sundays, all non-essential businesses must close, including grocery stores.
Gas stations, depanneurs and pharmacies can remain open.
GYMS AND SPORTS
Indoor sport and recreational fitness facilities, including gyms, are closed in both provinces.
In Ontario, there’s an exception for athletes training for the Olympics and Paralympics and select professional and elite amateur sport leagues.
Outdoor facilities will be permitted to operate but with the number of spectators not to exceed 50 per cent occupancy and other requirements.
In Quebec, indoors sports are only permitted for a single person, two people or the occupants of one household.
A full list of Quebec restrictions can be found here. A full list of Ontario restrictions can be found here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
Last letters of pioneering climber who died on Everest reveal dark side of mountaineering
George Mallory is renowned for being one of the first British mountaineers to attempt to scale the dizzying heights of Mount Everest during the 1920s. Nearly a century later, newly digitized letters shed light on Mallory’s hopes and fears about ascending Everest.
Toxic testing standoff: Family leaves house over air quality
A Sherwood Park family says their new house is uninhabitable. The McNaughton's say they were forced to leave the house after living there for only a week because contaminants inside made it difficult to breathe.
An emergency slide falls off a Delta Air Lines plane, forcing pilots to return to JFK in New York
An emergency slide fell off a Delta Air Lines jetliner shortly after takeoff Friday from New York, and pilots who felt a vibration in the plane circled back to land safely at JFK Airport.
B.C. seeks ban on public drug use, dialing back decriminalization
The B.C. NDP has asked the federal government to recriminalize public drug use, marking a major shift in the province's approach to addressing the deadly overdose crisis.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Powerful tornado tears across Nebraska, weather service warns of 'catastrophic' damage
Devastating tornadoes tore across parts of eastern Nebraska and northeast Texas Friday as a multi-day severe thunderstorm event ramped up in the central United States, injuring at least three people.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.