Montreal urging all bar patrons, employees to get COVID-19 test after spike in cases

A man wears protective gear as he cleans the outdoor terrace of a pub in Montreal, Saturday, July 11, 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues in Canada and around the world.

Public health officials are urging anyone who has frequented a bar on the Island of Montreal since Canada Day to get a COVID-19 test after several cases stemming from drinking establishments.

Authorities said Saturday that several bar patrons and employees have tested positive since July 1 in an outbreak involving at least five area bars, despite public health measures put in place ahead of bars reopening in the province.

David Kaiser, a doctor with the Montreal public health department.

Meanwhile, a second Montreal suburb said it plans to make masks mandatory in indoor public places after a COVID-19 outbreak linked to two house parties grew to about 80 confirmed cases in the Monteregie region this week.

The mayor of Mercier, Que., about 30 kilometres south of Montreal, said in a statement Saturday morning that the town intends to make face coverings mandatory as of July 15.

Lise Michaud said the new rule — which will be adopted at the next municipal council meeting on Tuesday — was agreed to after public health officials “strongly encouraged” wearing masks in indoor public spaces to stem the spread of the virus.

Quebec’s public health director, Horacio Arruda, said Friday there was “sufficient data” to link the outbreak to the house parties.

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