Thousands show up to protest Montreal curfew

It was announced Thursday by Premier Francois Legault that beginning Sunday, people in Montreal and its northern suburb of Laval would be required to remain at home from 8 PM to 5 AM or they could be fined upwards of $1,000.

"Like many places in the world, we have to bring back restrictions," Legault said. However, the government has been unable to offer significant evidence that the curfews have been successful at slowing the spread of the coronavirus.

Legault placed Quebec City, Levis and Gatineau under the earlier curfew. On Monday, the Premiere did the same for several municipalities in Quebec's Beauce region.

The government also closed schools and non-essential businesses in those areas. The new restrictions and closures are expected to be in place until at least April 18 if not longer. Houses of worship have limited attendance to 25 people in red zones and gyms were forced to close.

Rioters reportedly smashed the windows of almost every business on Notre-Dame Street W.

This is a developing story.