National Post (National Edition)
Trudeau suggests normalcy far in distance
Favourable numbers alone won’t decide when Canada can pick up where it was
OTTAWA will require more than just reducing the number of new cases of COVID-19 to a trickle, but also ensuring measures are in place to deal with future outbreaks of the virus.
A full return to normal life is a long way off and will likely depend on a vaccine being found or a massive amount of testing, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, adding he hopes some rules will be relaxed before then.
The country will hopefully “be able to loosen certain restrictions, but our health professionals and experts and all leaders understand that has to be done at the right moment and very, very carefully,” he said Thursday.
The economy has taken a massive hit due to the lockdown, which has closed businesses across the country. Statistics Canada estimated the country’s gross domestic product took a nine per cent dive in March, with the numbers for April expected to be even worse.
The government has received 5.4 million applications for its emergency benefit program, which offers up to $2,000 a month for those who have lost their income due to the crisis.
Trudeau stressed any discussion of easing restrictions is still weeks away.
“It would be absolutely disastrous for us to open up too early or too quickly and have another wave hit us that could be just as bad as this one and find ourselves in a situation of having to go back into quarantine.”
Canada had nearly 30,000 cases and 1,191 deaths at press time.
Trudeau said numbers aren’t the only consideration when it comes to easing restrictions.
“What’s even more important is the measures we will have in place to be vigilant, to respond if and when there are resurgences of the virus in local pockets in particular areas,” he said, adding responses would have to be quick.
“I don’t think we can talk about reopening things until we are confident we have exactly the plan on responding to future resurgences in place.”
Nearly half of the deaths have come in seniors’ residences or long-term care homes. Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer, said those facilities would have to have things much more under control before lifting some of the restrictions.
“You have to ensure that all measures are in place to prevent any further infections in those vulnerable settings,” she said. “It’s about making sure infection and prevention control measures are in place and the health system continues to be ready for any potential surge.”
“While we all wish this could be a sprint to the finish it is not,” Tam said. “This will be a marathon and there are no rewards for quitting early.”