Canada’s prime minister is set to address the public again Thursday, a day after announcing an $82 billion COVID-19 response package that includes measures ranging from wage subsidies and income supports to a temporary boost to the child benefit program.
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- Trudeau to address Canadians again today after announcing $82 billion COVID-19 package.
- Get the latest advisories and information around COVID-19 from across the country here.
- WATCH: Hear from a Canadian nurse on the front line of the fight against the coronavirus.
Canada’s prime minister is set to address the public again Thursday, a day after announcing an $82 billion COVID-19 response package that includes measures ranging from wage subsidies and income supports to a temporary boost to the child benefit program.
Justin Trudeau, who is still in self-isolation after his wife tested positive for the illness caused by the novel coronavirus, is scheduled to speak outside his home at 11 a.m. ET.
Trudeau on Wednesday also announced a joint deal with the U.S. to close the border to non-essential travel, a move meant to clamp down on COVID-19 while still allow the flow of critical supplies between the two countries.
- Read more about the plan to limit cross-border travel between Canada and the U.S.
- Get the details of the $82 billion COVID-19 response plan
Canada and the U.S. are not the only nations clamping down on border crossings. As the world responds to the pandemic, countries are introducing a range of measures to try and slow the spread of the virus.
Hard-hit Italy is still on lockdown as it scrambles to slow cases and properly treat the infected. Australia and New Zealand recently announced broad border restrictions. And China, where the virus was first reported, said that even though it is making headway against the virus, it’s not yet in the clear.
The risk of new coronavirus cases occurring in China’s Hubei province, the epicentre of the country’s outbreak, has not been eliminated and infection risk still persists at community and clinic levels, a government official said on Thursday. Li Yang, an official from Hubei’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention, made the comments at a press conference. They come after new local transmissions in China fell to zero on Wednesday.
- Prepare to see COVID-19 cases rising. That doesn’t mean social distancing has failed
- COVID-19 isn’t just testing governments, it’s testing citizens
There are more than 219,000 cases worldwide, according to a tracking site maintained by Johns Hopkins University in the U.S. For most of those people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. The vast majority of people recover from the new virus but some people who are infected — especially older adults and people with existing health problems — are at higher risk of facing a more severe illness, including pneumonia.
According to the World Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover.
Here’s what’s happening in the provinces and territories
British Columbia on Wednesday declared a state of emergency, a move that allows the province to do things like secure supply chains. The province had already declared a public health emergency, but Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth said the state of emergency is part of an “all-hands-on-deck” approach to tackling the novel coronavirus. Read more about what’s happening in B.C.
In Alberta, the premier says social distancing measures will likely be needed until the end of May, saying the “velocity” of the virus’s spread around the world suggests “we can expect this to pose a very real threat to public safety for at least two or three months.” Read more about what’s happening in Alberta, including the latest from the province’s chief medical officer of health.
Saskatchewan also declared a state of emergency to tackle COVID-19. The province banned public gatherings of more than 50 people, said restaurants and bars need to keep half their seats empty and said businesses that are allowed to remain open — including grocery stores, pharmacies and gas stations — must have processes that maintain “one-to-two-metre” separation. Read more about what’s happening in Saskatchewan.
Manitoba opened its first drive-in COVID-19 testing site on Wednesday. The site, located in Selkirk, allows patients with a referral to drive up and be screened. Then, if needed, they can get the necessary test without getting out of their car. Manitoba has not yet reported any community transmission cases, but the province’s top doctor says “we’re very, very likely” to see community transmission as more cases are imported. Read more about what’s happening in Manitoba here.
Ontario’s health minister said the province is “very aware” of the need to step-up COVID-19 testing capacity after reports of wait times of up to four days for results. Christine Elliott said the wait is “not acceptable” and the province is working to ramp things up. Premier Doug Ford on Wednesday addressed the issue of panic buying, saying the call to place limits on certain products is a decision for retailers, but one that he is open to. Read more about what’s happening in Ontario here.
Quebec announced its first COVID-19 related death on Wednesday. The province’s director of public health said it was an elderly woman in the Lanaudière region who had been in contact with a person who had travelled. Though the woman had been in contact with someone who went abroad, Dr. Horacio Arruda said that doesn’t mean there is broader community transmission. “We’re not there yet.” Arruda noted that just because case numbers rise, “that doesn’t mean we’re losing the battle.” Read more about what’s happening in Quebec here.
New Brunswick’s premier urged people in his province to be cautious and embrace social distancing. Blaine Higgs said “this is not a drill” and called on people to avoid things like playdates and getting together with friends. The province says additional nurses are going to be staffing a key telehealth line starting Thursday after complaints about long waits. Read more about what’s happening in New Brunswick here.
Nova Scotia hospitals are strictly limiting visitors, with the health authority saying “multiple people waiting in hallways, family rooms or waiting rooms is not acceptable given requirements