Canada’s chief public health officer is asking people to postpone or cancel all non-essential travel outside Canada amid concern about the growing coronavirus outbreak. Here’s a look at what the government is saying, how provinces are faring and what’s happening around the world.
The latest:
- Canada’s chief public health officer advises cancellation of all non-essential international travel.
- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says government will introduce ‘significant’ fiscal stimulus package in the days ahead.
- Canadian military bans international travel in response to COVID-19.
- READ MORE: Here’s the latest guidance for Canadians on travel, quarantines and what to do if you have symptoms.
Canada’s chief public health officer is asking people to postpone or cancel all non-essential travel outside the country amid concern about the growing coronavirus outbreak that the WHO has described as a pandemic.
“It is also important to remember that if you travel abroad, you could be subject to the measures of the other countries,” said Dr. Theresa Tam. “Your one-way trip may become much longer.”
Health officials across the country, including Tam, are urging people to embrace proper hand hygiene, stay home if sick and do what they can to slow the spread of disease and thus lower the burden on the health-care system.
“Everyone needs to do their part to flatten the curve,” said Dr. Howard Njoo, Canada’s deputy chief public health officer.
The government is announcing a range of measures Friday, including for cruise ships and international flights, as well as screening of travellers. Transport Minister Marc Garneau added that no cruise ships carrying more than 500 people will be allowed to dock in Canada until at least July 1.
Garneau also said the government is planning to restrict the number of airports in Canada that can accept international flights to consolidate screening. He said they’re still figuring out what airports will be on that list.
Not closing door to ‘further steps’
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Friday that the government will be announcing a “significant” fiscal stimulus package in the days ahead. “We will get through this together,” he said.
The prime minister, who previously announced a $1-billion COVID-19 economic package, said decisions would be based on recommendations from medical experts and top scientists.
“We’re not closing the door to any further steps, but we will make those decisions based on what science tells us.”
- Read the full story on what Trudeau said and how the government is preparing for COVID-19
- Follow the developments in Ottawa, after MPs vote to suspend House of Commons until April 20
Trudeau was speaking from his home, where he is in self-isolation after his wife tested positive for COVID-19. Trudeau said he has no symptoms, feels “very well,” and is working at home as a precaution at his doctor’s recommendation.
In an interview with CBC’s Matt Galloway earlier Friday, Trudeau said that his government is looking at “everything” and that Ottawa doesn’t want people to be worried about whether they’ll be able to make rent or pay for groceries. It was not immediately clear when the full details of that plan would be available.
In a separate interview with Radio-Canada, Trudeau said Friday his government is considering closing the border to some international travellers.
Schools closing in Ontario, Quebec
Quebec on Friday became the second province to decide to close schools for an extended period in a bid to slow the spread of COVID-19. All schools, universities, daycares and CEGEPs in the province will be closed for two weeks starting Monday, Premier François Legault announced.
Legault, who spoke about everything from school closures to how the health system is preparing, also called on Trudeau to limit the entry of foreign visitors into Canada.
Ontario announced Thursday that publicly funded schools would be closing from March 14 through to April 5. The Ontario school closure — which tacks two weeks onto the upcoming March Break — was made at the recommendation of the province’s chief medical officer, the provincial government said.
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Health Minister Patty Hajdu said Friday that Canada is in a “critical window” to deal with COVID-19. She said she spoke with her G7 counterparts, “and everybody is working as diligently as possible to contain the spread globally.”
French President Emmanuel Macron said Friday that G7 leaders will hold a videoconference summit on COVID-19 on Monday. Trudeau said co-ordination at the G7 level will be important to the economy.
Case numbers are still on the rise around the world, but there are signs of progress in the fight against the novel coronavirus, particularly in China, where the disease first emerged.
More than half of the world’s 128,000 people infected have already recovered. Most patients have only mild or moderate symptoms such as a fever or cold, though severe symptoms including pneumonia can occur, especially in older adults and people with existing health problems.
Here’s a look at what’s happening with COVID-19 in Canada, the U.S., the global economy and some of the harder-hit regions of the world.
Here’s a look at what’s happening in provinces with cases of COVID-19
Canadians should absorb the short-term pain and practise social distancing in order to avoid the coronavirus, says Dr. Michael Gardam. 6:58
Schools are closing in Ontario and Quebec, while provincial officials in B.C. and Quebec are cautioning residents about international travel. Even in provinces without confirmed cases of COVID-19, people are being urged by health officials to practice proper hand hygiene and take precautions like staying home when sick.
In Ontario, the latest news is that schools are closing. The premier’s office said Thursday that it recognizes that the closures will have a “significant impact” on parents, students and communities as a whole. But Doug Ford’s office said “this precaution is necessary to keep people safe.” Read more about what’s happening in Ontario, where some stores are feeling the strain as worried shoppers flood in, despite warnings not to engage in panic buying.
In B.C., the province’s top doctor is cautioning against all non-essential travel outside Canada, and recommending that large events be cancelled. Dr. Bonnie Henry said Thursday that people who leave the country and return to B.C. — including people who travel to the U.S. — should stay away from work and school for a period of 14 days. Many schools in the province are about to start a two-week scheduled spring break. While some parents are calling for an extended closure of schools, the province’s education ministry said Thursday that the ministry isn’t considering it because the risk in schools is still low. Read more about what’s happening in B.C.
In Alberta, the province’s top doctor is also calling for the cancellation of events of more than 250 people. Dr. Deena Hinshaw said Thursday there’s a “window of opportunity for Alberta to slow the spread of the virus.” As in B.C., Albertans are being advised not to travel abroad, and are being asked to self-isolate when they return. Read more about what’s happening in Alberta.
In Quebec, schools are being closed for two weeks. The planned closures in Quebec come after Premier François Legault introduced his sweeping plan for the province, which included mandatory self-isolation for public sector workers who travelled abroad and voluntary isolation for anyone else who made a similar trip. Read more about what’s happening in Quebec.
In Manitoba, there were three presumptive cases reported Thursday. The province said it was opening screening centres in Winnipeg for the novel coronavirus in a bid to increase testing. Read more about wha