Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau held a press conference on the steps of his home on Friday to announce he was going into self-isolation, a day after his wife tested positive for coronavirus.
Trudeau stood several feet away from reporters and photographers outside Rideau Cottage in Ottawa to announce his plan.
‘As are many Canadians right now, are following medical health professionals.
‘I am in isolation 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 was feeling healthy and had no symptoms.
Trudeau added that doctors had told him he did not need to be tested because he is not showing any symptoms.
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Justin Trudeau emerged from Rideau Cottage in Ottaway, Ontario, on Friday to announce to the media, standing several feet away, that he was going into self-isolation
Trudeau stood in front of the property where his wife Sophie is inside in quarantine, and where he said his kids were inside in isolation playing Lego
Trudeau, temporarily breaking his self-isolation to address the media on Friday outside Rideau Cottage
Trudeau shared this photograph of himself working from home earlier in the day
Earlier, he shared a photograph from inside his home which showed him at his desk and talking on the phone.
He tweeted this along with the image and said he was continuing to work
‘Busy day ahead, working from home. Meetings with my cabinet, the country’s premiers, national Indigenous leaders, and more. Staying focused on you. Talk soon,’ he tweeted along with the picture.
Trudeau’s office released a statement Thursday night confirming that his wife, 44-year-old Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, has tested positive for the virus.
She reported feeling mild flu-like symptoms, including a low fever, on Wednesday night.
He said Sophie’s symptoms were ‘mild’ on Friday and that she was recovering well.
Trudeau’s wife Sophie is in quarantine inside the cottage after testing positive with the virus after returning from a trip to the UK
Trudeau was also scheduled to hold meetings over the next two days and Ottawa with provincial premiers and First Nations leaders, but those meetings have been postponed, according to the BBC.
Sophie Trudeau began to exhibit symptoms on Wednesday evening after returning to Canada from a trip to the UK where she attended the WE Day UK Charity event and concert in London last Tuesday March 3.
Sophie Trudeau released a statement Thursday saying she’s doing well despite experiencing ‘uncomfortable symptoms’
Idris Elba, Jamie Oliver, race car driver Lewis Hamilton and former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard were also present at the event.
Sophie released a reassuring statement Thursday saying she’s doing well despite experiencing ‘uncomfortable symptoms’.
‘First, I’d like to say a big thank you to all of you who have reached out to me asking how I’m doing. Although I’m experiencing uncomfortable symptoms of the virus, I will be back on my feet soon. Being in quarantine at home is nothing compared to other Canadian families who might be going through this and for those facing more serious health concerns.
‘We will get through this situation together. Please share the facts and take your health seriously.
‘I send you all my courage and warm thoughts (but only “get better” hugs from afar!)’ she wrote.
Health officials will reach out to those who’ve been in contact with her as necessary, the office said.
After she felt ill, the Canadian Prime Minister’s office released a statement saying she will get tested and she and her husband would be put in isolation.
‘I have some personal news to share today. Sophie recently returned from a speaking event in the UK, and last night she was experiencing mild flu-like symptoms. She‘s feeling better, but following the advice of our doctor she is self-isolating as we wait on COVID-19 test results,’ Trudeau tweeted Thursday afternoon.
On Thursday despite being in isolation, it was a typical work day for Prime Minister Trudeau, who held virtual meetings and briefings from home.
He spoke with world leaders – including President Donald Trump, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Italian leaders – and joined a special Cabinet committee discussion on the new coronavirus.
He cancelled an in-person meeting with Canada’s provincial premiers.
On Thursday a meeting between Trudeau, the premiers and Indigenous leaders that was scheduled to begin in Ottawa has been postponed indefinitely due to the outbreak.
The killer coronavirus already has a grip on Canada with 138 reported cases as of Thursday as per government data.
On Wednesday, Trudeau announced $800million USD in new financial measures to help mitigate the effects of the widening coronavirus outbreak in Canada.
Trudeau told a news 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 claim employment insurance.
Quebec premier Francois Legault, meanwhile, is asking all people returning from travel abroad to self-isolate for 14 days. The measure will be mandatory for all government employees.
He is also asking 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 urging all events with more than 250 people be cancelled.
Ontario, Canada’s most populous province, is closing schools until April 5.
British Columbia Health Minister Adrian Dix says so far there has not been widespread community transmission of the virus in Canada, unlike in the US.