Bell Centre will be allowed 50% capacity as of Feb. 21

The Montreal Canadiens will be permitted to fill half of their arena in roughly two weeks.

Quebec premier Francois Legault unveiled a phased plan to ease pandemic-related restrictions Tuesday. Among the reduced measures, theatres and showrooms in the province - including the Bell Centre - will be allowed to operate at 50% capacity as of Feb. 21.

On March 14, those venues will reopen at full capacity.

The Canadiens are currently only allowed a maximum of 500 fans at home games, with zero permitted over their previous four contests. The 500-fan rule, which was announced on Jan. 25, went into effect on Monday.

Montreal is in the midst of an eight-game homestand that began before the All-Star break. The Canadiens are scheduled to host the Washington Capitals on Thursday, the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday, the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday, and the St. Louis Blues on Feb. 17.

The Canadiens will then travel to New York to play the Islanders on Feb. 20 before returning home to face the Toronto Maple Leafs the next day when attendance restrictions are loosened.

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