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
They were from different countries and barely spoke each other's languages. More than 20 years later, they're still happily in love
He decided to spend Christmas somewhere that wouldn't involve snowstorm disasters. She was spending the holidays with family, travelling for the first time outside of her native country of Venezuela. 23 years later, they're still in love.
Man who set himself on fire outside Trump trial dies of injuries, police say
A man who doused himself in an accelerant and set himself on fire outside the courthouse where former U.S. President Donald Trump is on trial has died, police said.
Verdun Airbnb listing taken down amid complaints, fines and frustration from neighbours
An Airbnb in Montreal's Verdun borough was the source of much frustration from neighbours who say there were constant parties at the location. It has been taken down from the app, but housing advocates remain upset about short-term rentals.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
12 students and teacher killed in Columbine school shooting remembered at 25th anniversary vigil
Thirteen victims of the Columbine High School shooting were remembered during a vigil Friday on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the shooting that was the worst the nation had seen at the time.
Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza city of Rafah kills at least 9 Palestinians, including 6 children
An Israeli airstrike on a house in Gaza's southernmost city killed at least nine people, six of them children, hospital authorities said Saturday, as Israel pursued its nearly seven-month offensive in the besieged Palestinian territory.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Iraq investigates a blast at a base of Iran-allied militias that killed 1. U.S. denies involvement
Iraqi authorities said Saturday that they were investigating an explosion that struck a base belonging to the Popular Mobilization Forces, a coalition of Iran-allied militias, killing one person and injuring eight.
The House is on the brink of approving aid for Ukraine and Israel after months of struggle
The House is preparing in a rare Saturday session to approve US$95 billion in foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies.