June 12, 2020 | News

June 12, 2020 – Federal government update on the COVID-19 pandemic

Here is an update on recent decisions and actions by the Canadian government in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Red Cross to offer reinforcement
Members of the Canadian Red Cross will take over from the military to lend a hand in residential and long-term care centres (CHSLDs) as of June 26, and until September 15.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau explained that members of the Canadian Armed Forces were urgently deployed, but there was never any question that they would play a medium- or long-term role.

“There have been improvements in CHSLDs. We’re working with the Canadian Red Cross, which will be sending well-trained and well-paid people to CHSLDs until September 15,” Mr. Trudeau said.

Body temperature to be taken for airline passengers
The Canadian government will require airline passengers to have their body temperature taken in airports and when boarding planes in preparation for the gradual resumption of domestic, cross-border and international flights.

Prime Minister Trudeau stated that this new protective measure against the spread of COVID-19 will be added to physical distancing and the wearing of masks. It is already in effect in several countries.

“Taking the temperature of people who wish to travel by plane is another way to encourage people to stay home if they are sick or if they have COVID-19 symptoms,” Mr. Trudeau said.

This measure is necessary with the reopening of the economy as more and more people will be resuming travel. “This is another reasonable way for us to do everything we can to protect Canadians,” he said.

Helping people with a disability
Prime Minister Trudeau stated his commitment to finding a way to provide the $600 one-time, tax-free payment to people with a disability who have incurred “additional expenses due to the pandemic,” despite Parliament’s refusal to ratify the program that was announced.

“We’re looking for another way to make this happen,” Mr. Trudeau said.