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Isaac Kaufman, 66, was set to walk into an SAQ outlet in the Ste-Rose district of Laval around noon Friday when a security guard asked him his age.

Because he was under 70, he was allowed in.

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There were reports of incidents around Quebec on Friday of Société des alcools du Québec staff carding seniors in an effort to keep anyone 70 or older out of its stores.

Staff received orders from the provincial Crown corporation on Friday morning to “strongly dissuade or even bar entry” to people 70 or older in an effort to enforce Premier François Legault’s directive that they should stay away from public places because of the coronavirus epidemic.

Photo by John Mahoney / Montreal Gazette

Kaufman said he was surprised to be asked his age, especially because his 81-year-old brother had no problem buying wine at an SAQ outlet in Dorval on Thursday.

“He asked my age; I said ’66.’ He said: ‘No problem, go in,’ ” Kaufman said.

“Do I feel it’s discriminatory? No. I think they’re being prudent. They’re saying: ’70 and over, that’s the danger zone.’