Speaking to the media on Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had harsh words for Canadians who are not adhering to guidelines on social distancing in the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
“If you choose to ignore that advice … you’re not just putting yourself at risk, you’re putting others at risk too,” he said in his daily press conference outside his Rideau Cottage residence in Ottawa.
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The news came as Ontario and Quebec announced they were moving to close all non-essential businesses to halt the virus.
The prime minister said that frontline workers in Canada “need you to make the right choices.” Social distancing, now in widespread practice around the globe, requires that people stay two metres apart and refrain from gathering in clusters, so that virus spread can be lessened.
“Enough is enough,” he said to those who aren’t complying. “Go home and stay home.”
He said the government hasn’t taken any options off the table when it comes to imposing stricter social distancing controls, including use of the Emergency Act, but said for now they are relying on the goodwill of Canadians.
The federal government is also unveiling advertisements to hammer home the importance of social distancing.
“When we see people out in the sunshine in large groups, that is extremely concerning,” he said, adding that those flouting the guidelines are putting the elderly and other vulnerable groups at risk.
“We’ve all seen the pictures online of people who seem to think they’re invincible. Well, you’re not.”
light108 on March 23rd, 2020 at 17:00 UTC »
I like that it's stay home, and yet we have done very little in terms on income. Big companies can afford to pay people. Small business can't and so it's go on ei and make half of what you were. Well my bills aren't being cut in half, nor is rent... Nothing to about that other than we are working on it.
Torrentialdownpour65 on March 23rd, 2020 at 15:31 UTC »
It's all fine and good but tell the employers.
wezel0823 on March 23rd, 2020 at 15:29 UTC »
Mandate it or nobody is going to listen, unless the government does something. Those who won’t care will continue not to care.
Those who think they are essential employers will continue to stay open.