The Quebec-Ontario border will be fully open to all forms of travel starting Wednesday after being closed for nearly two months to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“This reopening applies to everyone who wants to travel between the two provinces without exception,” the Quebec Department of Public Security said in a statement released on Monday.

The border between the two provinces hit hard by the health crisis was initially closed end of April on non-essential travel as new coronavirus cases increased in Ontario.

There were a few exceptions during this time, but the police presence was strong on both sides to contain the tide of the virus. Checkpoints have been set up at entry points to enforce the closure.

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With the reopening, Quebec’s Public Security Minister Geneviève Guilbault continues to urge caution when traveling between the two provinces.

An obligation that people traveling from Ontario to Quebec must return to their primary residence for 14 days has been lifted.

According to the plan, Ontarians are also allowed to dine in restaurants in La Belle province – but they must respect the applicable measures.

“We’re counting on Ontario visitors to work together to ensure they comply with health regulations in the various areas of Quebec,” wrote Guilbault on Twitter.

CONTINUE READING: The mayor of Ottawa refuses to be cited by the attorney general on border closings

The decision is made as the situation is improving in both provinces and other pandemic-related restrictions have been eased in recent weeks. From Monday morning, all Quebec regions previously listed as orange zones in the province’s COVID-19 alert system have been downgraded to yellow.

Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson, who criticized the border closure, said Monday he was happy to learn the restrictions are lifting.

“After months of wasted police resources controlling travel in the NCR, our two highly integrated economic regions will benefit greatly from this decision,” he wrote on social media.

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The border is now between Ontario and Manitoba will open again on Wednesday.





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Could Ontario see a spike in COVID-19 cases after the first reopening weekend?


Could Ontario see a spike in COVID-19 cases after the first reopening weekend?

—With files from Craig Lord of Global News and The Canadian Press

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