How long Canadians need to self-isolate and self-distance is up to Canadians, according to the Prime Minister.
Justin Trudeau was asked Wednesday about internal government documents that suggest it could be at least until July. The documents, obtained by The National Post, are not clear if that means banning public gatherings, how long the border shutdown will last, or it refers to the 14-day quarantine for Canadians returning to the country.
Trudeau did not deny the existence of the documents but rebuffed suggestions his government is not being open with Canadians eager for the time when the threat of COVID-19 has passed.
"We have been open and transparent with Canadians on the facts," said Trudeau during a regular update on the pandemic. "I've said from the very beginning that there is a wide range of scenarios that we have been looking for, that we are planning for."
The comments come as Public Health Canada revealed a 22 per cent jump in cases in Ontario to 2,392. Across Canada, there have been 9,017 cases and 105 deaths.
"We know that they are going to be in place for a number of more weeks, perhaps months," said Trudeau before reminding Canadians it depends on how seriously they take social distancing measures.
"The choices you make to stay at home, to self-isolate, to not go to six different stores when you go grocery shopping, to try to go grocery shopping once a week -- these sorts of things are what will arrest the spread and the increase of this virus. We need all of us to do the best we can," he said.
On Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump warned Americans the weeks ahead will be very challenging, projecting between 100,000 and 240,000 deaths in his country. The U.S. now accounts for 20 per cent of global infections.
Trudeau was not willing to offer a similar projection for Canadians.
"There are a range of projections depending on how Canadians are behaving, on how isolation is working," he responded. "I can say right now that the fact so many Canadians are behaving in the right ways... is an extremely good sign."