Min menu

Pages

Trudeau says government will warn against international travel and tighten border to prevent spread of COVID-19 Prime minister's wife, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, has tested positive for coronavirus

Trudeau says government will warn against international travel and tighten border to prevent spread of COVID-19
Prime minister's wife, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, has tested positive for coronavirus
Kathleen Harris · CBC News · Posted: Mar 13, 2020 8:20 AM ET | Last Updated: 34 minutes ago
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responds to an issue during question period within the House of Commons. Parliamentarians will consider today whether to require the unprecedented move of suspending Parliament due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal will warn Canadians against international travel and is considering tightening the border to some international travellers.

During an interview with Radio-Canada's Montreal morning show on Friday, Trudeau said the govt isn't closing the door to any idea and is assessing things on a day-to-day basis.

Asked if the govt will close the Canadian border, Trudeau said: "We are within the midst of watching this."

"We're within the midst of evaluating day-to-day what to try to to ," he said.

"As you've seen, there are recommendations to not travel outside of Canada. We're within the midst of co-ordinating with the Americans, obviously, on our borders, on our actions. We'll still evaluate what we will do and the way we will keep Canadians in security and that we won't close the door on any idea."

MPs vote to suspend House amid COVID-19 concerns

U.S. President Donald Trump announced Wednesday evening that the U.S. was banning travellers from most parts of Europe, an equivalent day the planet Health Organization declared the worldwide outbreak an epidemic .

The State Department also issued a worldwide health advisory cautioning U.S. citizens to "reconsider travel abroad" thanks to COVID-19.

Updated
Coronavirus: Here's what's happening in Canada and round the world

Sophie Grégoire Trudeau tests positive for coronavirus

Trudeau is in self-isolation reception as his wife, Sophie, has tested positive for COVID-19.

Trudeau also said the govt is watching a group of common national guidelines to limit the spread of the coronavirus across the country.

On CBC Radio's the present , Trudeau said the govt will make a recommendation to Canadians to not travel internationally immediately . An announcement thereon will likely come later today, he said.

Trudeau said the govt is additionally considering income-support measures to make sure people aren't worried about money when concerned about their own health and therefore the health of their loved ones.

"We're getting to be fixing place measures to support people to form sure that they will make ends meet, that they will specialise in their families while we're browsing a really difficult time economically," he told host Matt Galloway.

On the border, Trudeau said steps that are taken so far have "worked quite well" in limiting the amount of cases; additional measures may now be required.

"We seem to be approaching a special phase immediately and that we will confirm that we follow all the recommendation of our very top experts," he said.

Trudeau will address the state today from self-isolation because the number of Canadians who have tested positive for the novel coronoavirus continues to grow — including his wife, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau.

His speech comes as Parliamentarians decide whether to require the unprecedented move of suspending Parliament due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Commons is sitting today before a previously planned one-week break, but discussions are underway about whether that ought to be extended.

The Board of Internal Economy met twice Thursday behind closed doors but didn't announce a choice . Sources say an idea are going to be revealed within the House of Commons on Friday.

The provinces have already made moves during a bid to slow the spread of the virus. The Ontario government has decided to shut schools and upcoming jury trials, while Alberta's chief medic of health is recommending cancelling all public gatherings of quite 250 people.

Trudeau also will speak to provincial and territorial premiers about COVID-19 this afternoon over the phone after the primary ministers meeting was cancelled.

A statement from the Prime Minister's Office late Thursday said Grégoire Trudeau's symptoms remain mild and therefore the prime minister shows no symptoms, but he'll remain in isolation for 2 weeks to be safe.

On the present , Trudeau confirmed he's still showing no symptoms of the virus and has been performing from home speaking with cabinet ministers and other world leaders. His wife is following the recommendation of doctors to urge many rest and drink many fluids, he said.
Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau celebrates together with his wife, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, at the election night headquarters in Montreal after winning a minority government last October. The Prime Minister's Office says Grégoire Trudeau has

Reactions

Comments