Predicting at least 3,700 COVID-19 cases Friday, Quebec halves capacity at businesses, cuts Christmas limits

With at least 3,700 new cases expected to be announced on Friday, the Quebec government has announced a series of renewed restrictions including reduced capacity at businesses, bars and restaurants and a delayed return to classes for secondary and post-secondary students.

Because of the record-breaking numbers, "we must act," Quebec Premier François Legault said Thursday, announcing a slew of public health rules the province is tightening as of Monday.

Getting vaccinated is key, he said, but "the second weapon that we have is simple: we have... to be close to other people less often."

The province has a goal of reducing contacts by 50 per cent, he said. That means halving capacity wherever possible across the province.

"First of all, businesses -- we are going to be reducing the capacity to 50 per cent, and bars, restaurants, showrooms, theatres, we're also going to reduce capacity at 50 per cent," he said.