As cases drop, Quebec could loosen restrictions in some regions next month

Premier Franois Legaultsays he may lift some restrictions in parts of Quebecearly next month,if thenumber of cases and hospitalizations continue to decline.

Legault saidTuesday he will make a final decision next week about what measures to extend beyond Feb. 8.

However, in Montreal and the surrounding area, Legault said the level of transmission and hospitalizationis still too high, and residents willneed to wait longer.

"We have more reason to be careful with the new variants of the virus," Legault said at a news conference.

"We have to stay patient and we have to keep our spirits high."

When asked when Montreal might see measures lifted, he said it was "too soon to answer." He said the rate of transmission and the pressure onhospitals must still come down.

The governmenthad varying levels of restrictions across the province last fall under its colour-coded alert system, but faced criticismfor its muddled messaging.

Eventually, as cases soared, itimposed greater restrictions on nearly the entire province.

Health Minister Christian Dubsaid the governmentis still trying to determine which regions could see which restrictions lifted, and whether there would be limits on travel to those areas.

Dubsaid having police set up perimeterscould be difficult, given their other demandsincluding enforcing the curfew.

The Saguenay,Lower St. Lawrence and North Shoreare among the regions that have succeeded in substantially bringing down the number of cases in recent weeks.