COVID-19: Montreal cancels all festivals, sporting events, public gatherings through July 2

MONTREAL -- Montreal has cancelled all of its festivals, sporting events and other public gatherings through July 2, the city announced Tuesday.

The city said in a statement that the decision was made "in the context of COVID-19 and in accordance with the directives issued by the Government of Quebec."

Montréal has cancelled all cultural and sporting events on its territory until July 2, in order to limit public gatherings. It is a difficult decision because Montreal is a known destination for world class events and festivals. And we will be there to support our partners.

— Valérie Plante (@Val_Plante) April 7, 2020

The city said it will be contacting its festival and event partners to provide them with support.

Among the events affected are the Just For Laughs comedy festival, which Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante said she hoped would be rescheduled for August or September.

The ban also affects the Fete National celebrations on June 24 and the July 1 Canada Day festivities. 

The announcement comes the same day that the F1 Canadian Grand Prix would be postponed. 

Organizers of the Montreal International Jazz Festival, the Francopholies and the punk Pouzza festival have all previously said the events would not be held this year because of the pandemic. 

"The good news is for the Grand Prix and the Just For Laughs festival, we're talking about postponing," said Plante. "For the other ones, we're cancelling. The Jazz Festival, the Francopholies, they will be cancelled. But the Grand Prix, we're thinking of holding here in Montreal, but later in the year. I don't have a date, we're working on details, but it would be fantastic if we could have the Grand Prix in Montreal this year."