Some western Quebec officials are concerned they'll be hit with a sudden rush of cottagers once provincial restrictions for COVID-19 are lifted. Since April 1, there have been checkpoints placed on the region's bridges and roads since to limit non-essential travel in the area. However, most of the Outaouais restrictions — aside from interprovincial travel between Ottawa and Gatineau — will be lifted May 11, raising the possibility cottagers could flood into western Quebec to check out the state of their second homes. "There are some municipalities that are more of a tourist destination, and they're concerned that people will come to the villages and to the stores and not respect the physical distancing." Gatineau police officers direct traffic at a road stop after the Quebec government banned non-essential travel into and through the western region of the Outaouais.

Source: CBC News May 03, 2020 20:26 UTC