As the COVID-19 pandemic  crisis intensifies, especially in Côte Saint-Luc, I am receiving more  and more phone calls and emails from constituents who are justifiably frightened.

Probably as early as this Sunday, a test center will open near the entrance of the CLSC Réne-Cassin at Quartier Cavendish. It will be by appointment only and for people in vehicles. Nobody will need to step inside. For those who do not have cars, we understand that a taxi service might be available.  There is more information to come. Bravo to our Liberal MNA David Birnbaum, Mayor Brownstein and the CIUSSS West-Central Montreal for making this happen, Today Quebec Public Health Director Horacio Arruda warned people who do not live in Côte Saint-Luc not to come here. The disease is spreading here and hopefully the Test Center will ensure more people are diagnosed and treated.

There are many Côte Saint-Luc snowbirds who returned from Florida as of March 26. Yesterday the federal government invoked the Quarantine Act. “The number of cases of COVID-19 is increasing daily – both at home and globally,” explains Mount Royal Liberal MP Anthony Housefather. “Earlier this month, we asked travellers entering Canada to self-isolate for 14 days to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Canada. Effective immediately, we are strengthening our measures at the border.”

Travellers returning to Canada will be subject to a mandatory 14-day self-isolation under the Quarantine Act.Failure to comply with this order can result in fines of up to $750,000 and/or six months in prison . “All individuals, with the exception of essential workers, are subject to these measures, regardless of whether you display symptoms,” Housefather says.

Your city council is meeting daily via video conference. Our mayor, city manager and head of public safety are in touch with the commander of Police Station 9 regularly and they are prepared to act on this law and arrest someone if necessary. Is that the example we need to see before people really get how serious this is?

I already received some calls today about snowbirds spotted in their lobbies. Someone from a building not in my district indicated that their doorman told them it was okay to come down to get their mail. These actions contravene the Quarantine Act. Folks, we do not want this to get ugly, but I am hearing from more people who say they have taken to shaming their neighbours who do this. Others say they will not hesitate to call the police. All snowbirds must remain in their home or unit for 14 days.

Then there is the category of others who must go into a 14 day self isolation because  they may have come into contact with someone infected with the disease. Can they go for groceries? “

"No, you cannot,” Housefather emphasized.  “You cannot go to stores, you cannot go visit people and other people cannot come visit you. “

If you have no symptoms you can still go outside for fresh air, a run, a bike ride or to walk the dog. But please  stay six feet away from anyone else.

One constituent reached me today to say he has already seen people breaking the rules. “Please advise the community at large to say something to the authorities when this occurs,” he advised.

Another constituent said:  “I have a neighbour two doors down from me who  is supposed to be self-isolating.  I see him go to his car every day and he runs the engine on  I am trying not to be a ‘rat,’ but he never goes by the rules for anything and in this case even more so. Anyway someone can speak to him and his wife? They have three kids who are also playing outside now - they leave their toys around, which I will not touch, but it is crazy that they are not following the rules.”

The number for the police is 514-280-0109. Please do not abuse this.