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Canada's prime minister is self-isolating and working from home, while his wife, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau awaits test results for the COVID-19 virus after she showed "mild flu-like symptoms."
The turn of events means that a two-day in-person summit between Trudeau and Canada's Indigenous leaders and premiers that was planned for Thursday and Friday in Ottawa has been postponed.
Instead, Trudeau and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland will speak with premiers over the phone to discuss actions to limit the spread of the coronavirus disease in Canada, the Prime Minister's Office confirmed Thursday.
Chantal Gagnon, deputy director of communications for the Prime Minister's Office, said in a statement that Sophie Grégoire Trudeau had recently returned from a speaking engagement in London, U.K., and "began exhibiting mild flu-like symptoms including a low fever late last night."
"She immediately sought medical advice, and is being tested for the COVID-19 virus. She is self-isolating at home awaiting test results, and her symptoms have since subsided," said Gagnon.
"Out of an abundance of caution, the prime minister is opting to self-isolate and work from home until receiving Sophie’s results."
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh also said Thursday he was "at home today, feeling unwell." He said he had talked with a doctor who did not believe he had COVID-19 symptoms, but he was advised to limit contact with the public.
Majority of Canada could be at risk: Hajdu
The World Health Organization has declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. There are 103 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Canada, as of March 11, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada.
Health Minister Patty Hajdu told a parliamentary committee Wednesday that it was "safe to assume" that between 30 per cent and 70 per cent of the Canadian population could "acquire" COVID-19.
The public health agency says Canadians should stay home, if they can, if they have "even mild symptoms" and call their public health authority in their province or territory for advice.
There is a heightened risk of worse outcomes for Canadians who are over the age of 65, or who have compromised immune systems or other medical conditions.
Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, Dr. Theresa Tam, said in order to slow the spread of the virus, "good hygiene practices" like frequent hand washing, staying home if possible when sick, and "social distancing" are all useful.
Feds obtaining bulk medical supplies
Trudeau announced a $1-billion aid package on Wednesday aimed at bolstering the country's healthcare system.
In Question Period on Thursday, Freeland said Canada was undergoing a "bulk national procurement effort" to obtain "necessary medical equipment."
"The federal government is, and will continue to provide leadership in partnership with the provinces, territories and all Canadians” with respect to the virus, said Freeland.
In response to a question from Conservative Party deputy leader Leona Alleslev about whether federal employees would be allowed to telework, Treasury Board President Jean-Yves Duclos said he took seriously the responsibility to ensure a safe and healthy workplace.
“The Treasury Board has very clear directives to ensure that when the time is right, the appropriate services will be offered to employees of the Canadian government," said Duclos.
Meanwhile Bloc Quebecois labour critic Louise Chabot pressed the government on whether it would ease the rules for Employment Insurance due to the processing time for applications delaying payouts.
Employment Minister Carla Qualtrough said the government had already removed the wait time for EI benefits for sick leave and "will continue to consider other measures" including for Canadians who don't qualify for EI.
MacKay, O'Toole suspend events
As the virus spreads around the globe, events are unfolding at a rapid pace.
The United States decided Wednesday to ban incoming travel from most people who have been in 26 European countries. On Thursday morning, Freeland said Canada had been blindsided by the decision.
On Thursday afternoon one of Canada's largest conservative political conferences, the Manning Networking Conference, which had been scheduled in two weeks, was cancelled.
Conservative leadership candidates Peter MacKay and Erin O'Toole said they would be suspending all public campaign events due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Parliamentary Press Gallery said it was taking actions to put more space between reporters and MPs on Parliament Hill, introducing new measures like cleaning equipment with disinfectant wipes and the use of gloves, and will be considering other measures.
Editor's note: This story was updated at 3:37 p.m. Eastern Time on March 12, 2020 to include various additional updates from Question Period.
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