Montreal police will continue to ensure “increased visibility” in bars in the central districts of the metropolis, including those of Ville-Marie and Plateau-Mont-Royal, in order to “prevent overflows” that could occur in the wake of the full reopening of these establishments.
Posted at 12:16 p.m.
Closer monitoring has already been done in this direction last weekend, the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) saying it wants “a safe resumption of Montreal nightlife”.
This week, the operation should be repeated on the nights of Thursday, Friday and Saturday, according to the police force, which also says to take the opportunity to “establish links with the tenants, exchange with them and listen to their comments”. Restaurant and bar owners are also involved in preventing potential overflows.
In a press release, the SPVM specifies that its increased presence “also aims to ensure a safe climate for bar staff and customers, who can now celebrate and gather in greater numbers in these places”.
“The police are also taking the opportunity to make night owls aware of the behaviors to be favored in order to promote the sharing of public spaces and the tranquility of the neighborhoods”, it is indicated, specifying that several investigation and gendarmerie units are thus put to use.
Since last Saturday, all public places can go to 100% capacity. There is also no longer a capacity limit per table in restaurants and bars. They can also return to a normal schedule and stop keeping a log of visitors. Dancing and karaoke are also allowed again, and there are no longer any limits on the number of participants in a rented room.
The vaccine passport also came to a complete end on Saturday, two days earlier than planned. Only the wearing of a face covering remains compulsory in businesses at all times, except for eating and drinking.