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HANNAH JACKSON GLOBAL NEWS – Posted March 21, 2020
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Saturday announced the government of Canada is working with commercial airlines to repatriate Canadians stranded abroad over the coronavirus pandemic.
Trudeau said several considerations are being made, including the closure of airspace, the local situation and the number of Canadians stranded in each country.
READ MORE: Canada-U.S. land border closes to all non-essential travel
He said the government is looking into coordinating flights to Spain and Peru, and will announce additional countries as soon as possible.
According to Trudeau, the government will not be able to help everyone, but they will help as many as possible.
Trudeau made the comments in a rare Saturday address from Rideau Cottage where he is currently in self-isolation.
Trudeau said those seeking assistance should register online with Global Affairs Canada.
Trudeau said he expects Canadians returning home to pay a “responsible ticket price,” but that the government will cover additional costs.
He added, though, that anyone who is showing symptoms of COVID-19 will not be allowed to board a flight to Canada, and that anyone who is repatriated will need to self-isolate for 14-days.
At midnight on Friday the land border between Canada and the U.S. was closed to all non-essential travel in an effort to stem the spread of COVID-19.
The border remains open for essential travel, which includes the transportation of goods and travel for work, so as not to hamper trade and the supply chains between the two countries.
On Monday Trudeau announced the rest of Canada’s borders would be closed to most foreign travellers, excepting only air crews, diplomats and immediate family members of Canadian citizens. Those restrictions were put into effect on Wednesday.
The government has also ordered all international flights to be funnelled through only four Canadian airports — Toronto‘s Pearson International Airport, Vancouver International Airport, Montreal-Pierre Elliot Trudeau International Airport and Calgary International Airport.
Trudeau urged Canadians travelling abroad to return to Canada, saying “it’s time to come home.”STORY CONTINUES BELOW ADVERTISEMENT
READ MORE: Live updates — Coronavirus in Canada
In order to help Canadians abroad, the federal government has also made available loans totalling $5,000 per person which can be used for flights and accommodations.
On Saturday, Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said he spoke with his counterparts in Australia, Brazil, Germany, Morocco, Peru and Turkey on Saturday to discuss plans to facilitate the return of nationals.
Just finished a conversation with the Foreign Ministers of #Australia, #Brazil, #Germany, #Morocco, #Peru and #Turkey on working together on #Covid-19, and plans to facilitate the return home of nationals.
Champagne said he will attend a press conference at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday to offer an update on Canada’s actions abroad.
François-Philippe Champagne (FPC) ✔@FP_Champagne
Champagne’s tweets come as an Air Canada flight is set to operate a flight out of Morocco, to repatriate Canadian citizens.
– With files from Global News’ Erica Alini and Eric Stober
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