Since September 8, 2020, the Quebec government has implemented a system of regional alerts and gradual response which has an impact on indoor and outdoor private gatherings, activities in public places (such as civil marriages and religious marriages), etc.
Depending on the alert level, it is still possible to have a civil marriage celebrated in Montreal during Covid-19.
This alert system contains four alert and response levels (green, yellow, orange and red). Reaching a level triggers a series of rules and prohibitions to be complied with in a region or sub-region.
These different levels and the resulting restrictions are available at all times and kept updated by press releases from the Ministry of Health and Social Services (french only).
Remember that the health instructions must be complied with at all times, regardless of the alert level.
Marriage and the green level – Vigilance
Marriages are limited to 50 persons indoors and 250 persons outdoors. Private gatherings, whether indoors or outdoors, are limited to 10 people.
Marriage and the yellow level – Pre-alert
As with the green level, marriages are limited to 50 persons indoors and 250 persons outdoors. Private gatherings, whether indoors or outdoors, are limited to 10 people.
Marriage and the orange level – Alert
Marriages are limited to 25 persons, indoors and outdoors. Private gatherings, indoors or outdoors, are limited to 6 people or 2 families. In the case of 2 families, the number of persons can be more than 6.
Marriage and the red level – Maximum alert
Information on the number of persons who can attend a marriage has not been published. The Quebec government may announce restrictions or stop certain non-essential activities for which the risk of contagion cannot be sufficiently controlled.
Civil marriage in Montreal during an alert period
Depending on the health rules, we celebrate civil marriages in our marriage ceremony rooms. The arrangements and the maximum number of guests allow everyone to respect a distance of two metres at all times.
Sources: Quebec.ca, Ministry of Health and Social Services.
