OTTAWA — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau entered self-isolation on Thursday March 12, as his wife, Sophie, awaited test results on whether she contracted the coronavirus.
A statement from Trudeau’s office said he was not showing symptoms of the virus and would continue working from home.
His absence, however, forced the postponement of a major meeting with the federation’s premiers that was expected to focus on how best to deal with the outbreak.
“The doctor’s advice to the prime minister is to continue daily activities while self-monitoring, given he is exhibiting no symptoms himself,” the statement read. “However, out of an abundance of caution, the prime minister is opting to self-isolate and work from home until receiving Sophie’s results.”
Sophie Grégoire Trudeau began exhibiting mild flu-like symptoms, including a low fever, late Wednesday night, the statement said. She was tested for the Covid-19 and was in self-isolation at home awaiting test results.
Her symptoms eventually subsided, the statement read. She recently returned from a European speaking engagement in London.
Trudeau and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland plannedto speak with provincial and territorial ministers Thursday by phone. The focus of the discussion will be on the country’s efforts to limit the spread of Covid-19.
The statement also said Trudeau would spend Thursday in briefings, on phone calls and in virtual meetings from his home. The work would include conversations with other world leaders and his participation in his government’s special Covid-19 cabinet committee discussion.
“Since the beginning of the Covid-19 outbreak, we have urged Canadians to take all necessary precautions and follow medical advice in order to stay safe,” the statement said. “This is what the prime minister and his family are doing.”
Trudeau’s self-isolation came a day after he unveiled a C$1 billion federal package aimed at bolstering health care systems in case the global outbreak spread more widely into Canada.
Other Canadian politicians have entered self-quarantine in recent days amid growing concerns about the transmission of coronavirus.
Minutes after Trudeau’s announcement, New Democrat Leader Jagmeet Singh tweeted that he was feeling unwell. Singh wrote that even though his symptoms didn’t appear to be consistent with Covid-19, he was advised by doctors to limit his contact with the public until his condition improved.
Earlier this week, public health authorities warned delegates to a mining convention to look for signs of the coronavirus after one attendee later tested positive. International Trade Minister Mary Ng and Natural Resources Minister Seamus O’Regan both attended the convention and were later tested for Covid-19. O’Regan announced he would work from home after showing symptoms.
Source: https://www.politico.com/
