Prime Minister Justin Trudeau held a press conference on the steps of his house on Friday to announce that he was isolated, one day after his wife tested positive for coronavirus.
Trudeau stood several meters from journalists and photographers outside the Rideau chalet in Ottawa to announce his plan.
“Like many Canadians right now, follow health professionals.
“I am isolated, as are my children and my wife is in quarantine,” he said.
He said he was going to work from home for 14 days as a precaution but that he felt healthy and had no symptoms.
Trudeau added that the doctors told him that he did not need to be tested because he had no symptoms.
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Trudeau stood several meters from journalists and photographers outside the Rideau chalet in Ottawa to announce his plan
Friday, Justin Trudeau left Rideau Cottage in Ottaway, Ontario, to announce to the media, several meters from him, that he was going to isolate himself.
Trudeau was standing in front of the property where his wife Sophie is inside in quarantine, and where he said that his children were inside playing Lego
Trudeau, temporarily breaking his self-isolation to speak to the media Friday outside of Rideau Cottage
Trudeau shared this photo of him working from home earlier in the day
Earlier, he shared a photo of the interior of his house which showed him at his desk and talking on the phone.
“Busy day ahead, homework. Meetings with my office, the country’s prime ministers, national Aboriginal leaders and more. Stay focused on yourself. Speak soon, ”he tweeted with the photo.
Trudeau’s office released a statement Thursday evening confirming that his wife, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, 44, has tested positive for the virus.
On Wednesday evening, she reported experiencing mild flu-like symptoms, including a low fever.
He said Sophie’s symptoms were “mild” on Friday and that she was recovering well.
He tweeted that with the picture and said he was still working
Trudeau was also scheduled to hold meetings over the next two days and in Ottawa with provincial premiers and First Nations leaders, but those meetings have been postponed, according to the BBC.
Sophie Trudeau started showing symptoms on Wednesday evening after returning to Canada from a trip to the United Kingdom where she attended the event and the WE Day UK charity concert in London on Tuesday, March 3.
Idris Elba, Jamie Oliver, race car driver Lewis Hamilton and former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard were also in attendance.
Thursday, Sophie issued a reassuring statement that she is doing well despite “uncomfortable symptoms”.
“First of all, I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who contacted me asking me how I am. Even if I experience some uncomfortable symptoms of the virus, I will soon be on my feet. Being quarantined at home n is nothing compared to other Canadian families who could experience this situation and those who face more serious health problems.
Trudeau’s wife Sophie is quarantined inside the cottage after being tested positive for virus after returning from a trip to the UK
Sophie Trudeau released a statement on Thursday saying she is doing well despite “uncomfortable symptoms.” She was shown in London last week (left)
“We will overcome this situation together. Please share the facts and take your health seriously.
“I send you all my courage and warm thoughts (but only” improve “hugs from afar!),” She wrote.
Health officials will contact those who have been in contact with her if necessary, the office said.
After feeling sick, the Prime Minister’s Office released a statement saying that she would be tested and that she and her husband would be placed in solitary confinement.
“I have some personal news to share today. Sophie recently returned from a speaking event in the UK and last night was experiencing mild flu-like symptoms. She feels better, but following the advice of our doctor, she isolates herself while waiting for the results of the COVID-19 test, ” Trudeau tweeted Thursday afternoon.
Thursday, despite the isolation, was a typical working day for Prime Minister Trudeau, who held meetings and virtual briefings from his home.
He met with world leaders – including President Donald Trump, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Italian leaders – and participated in a special Cabinet committee discussion on the new coronavirus.
He canceled a face-to-face meeting with the premiers of Canada.
On Thursday, a meeting between Trudeau, Premiers and Aboriginal leaders scheduled to start in Ottawa was postponed indefinitely due to the outbreak.
The killer coronavirus already has a grip on Canada with 138 cases reported Thursday according to government data.
On Wednesday, Trudeau announced US $ 800 million in new financial measures to help mitigate the effects of the spread of the coronavirus outbreak in Canada.
Trudeau said at a press conference that the money would help buy surgical equipment and fund research for a new vaccine. He also promised to make it easier for sick workers to apply for employment insurance.
Meanwhile, the Premier of Quebec, François Legault, asks everyone returning from a trip abroad to isolate themselves for 14 days. The measure will be mandatory for all government employees.
He also asks the organizers to cancel all indoor events attracting crowds of more than 250 people and all other large gatherings that are not considered essential. Alberta and British Columbia are also requesting that all events with more than 250 people be canceled.
Ontario, Canada’s most populous province, will close its schools until April 5.
British Columbia’s Minister of Health, Adrian Dix, says that, to date, there has been no widespread community transmission of the virus in Canada, unlike the United States.
