‘Several more weeks’ before restrictions could be relaxed: Prime Minister Trudeau

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said it will be at least several more weeks before plans to re-start the economy are introduced.

“I know that everyone is very interested to know when things are going to get back to normal; when they’ll be able to go back to work, when they’ll be able to leave this isolation at home, when kids will be able to go back to schools. The reality is it is going to be weeks still,” said Trudeau during his national address outside his home in Ottawa Tuesday.

Trudeau said reopening the economy will happen in phases, in cooperation with the provinces, and with restrictions, until a vaccine for COVID-19 is developed.

“We are having ongoing discussions with the provinces at this point. We recognize that different regions of the country are at different places along the evolution of their COVID-19 curve.We are going to make sure we try to stay coordinated as much as possible,” added Trudeau.

Trudeau also said new personal protective equipment for health care workers has arrived in Canada, including about 1.95 million N-95 masks, which will be shipped to the provinces and territories this week.

The PM also announced 130 million dollars to help the health care systems in northern communities.

Trudeau also hinted at further announcements this week to help students, essential workers, and commercial renters.

Trudeau called the high number of COVID deaths at long term care homes a “terrible situation” and said the federal government has put forward guidelines to keep seniors protected in what is a provincial responsibility. He also feels measures being taken by the provinces to require people only work in one facility will help protect the residents, and also admitted the facilities will have to hire more staff.

A new measure on travellers returning to Canada takes effect tonight where they will have to have a credible isolation plan, or they will be required to quarantine in a hotel for two weeks.

Both Trudeau and Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer were on the defensive this morning for appearing to ignore physical distancing measures.

Non-essential travel has been restricted for weeks, and Quebec has urged people not to go to their cottages, but Trudeau travelled to Harrington Lake in Quebec to spend Easter with his family at the prime minister’s official country residence.

Scheer, his wife and five children flew from Regina to Ottawa aboard a government jet.

(With files from The Canadian Press)