NEWS RELEASE
JOHN BRASSARD, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR BARRIE-INNISFIL
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Barrie-Innisfil Member of Parliament John Brassard will continue providing daily updates to residents of Barrie-Innisfil during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic through the media, at johnbrassard.com and on social media sites @johnbrassardCPC.
“This is a critical time, and we all have a responsibility to continue doing what we can to contain the COVID-19 outbreak and lessen the burden on our healthcare system,” said MP Brassard. “My top priority remains the health and safety of Barrie-Innisfil residents and all Canadians.”
The Prime Minister today announced $82 billion in financial aid - $27 billion in direct support for families and workers and $55 billion in economic support for businesses across the country, in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Details of the federal government’s announcement are available here. Anyone with questions regarding Employment Insurance claims related to COVID-19 should call 1-833-381-2725.
Also announced Wednesday, Canada and the United States have suspended all non-essential travel between the two countries. Restrictions, however, are not expected to affect shipments, trade, or business.
International flights are restricted to just four major Canadian cities – Toronto’s Pearson International and airports in Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary. Travellers exhibiting symptoms of Coronavirus (COVID-19) will not be permitted to board a plane headed to Canada.
Emergency loans up to $5,000 will be made available through Global Affairs Canada to assist Canadians who are abroad and having difficulty returning home. For information, call the emergency 24-7 response centre at (613) 996-8885.
“The ultimate success of today’s announcements by the Prime Minister will be defined by the ability of the government to execute – and execute very quickly – so that the real anxiety people are feeling about their finances can be relieved as soon as reasonably practicable,” Brassard said.
Additional updates:
- A new positive COVID-19 case was reported in the Simcoe-Muskoka region on Wednesday – a male in his 60s with a travel history to Austria. Since March 12, there have been four cases confirmed in Simcoe-Muskoka, including two in Barrie and one in Bradford.
- Barrie’s dedicated COVID-19 assessment centre at 490 Huronia Road will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. until Sunday, Mar. 22. However, if you have mild symptoms, you are asked to self-isolate at home instead of attending the testing centre or hospital emergency department. If you have mild symptoms, you will likely NOT be tested.
- Parks Canada has suspended visitor services at all national parks and historic sites until further notice.
“The current situation with Coronavirus (COVID-19) requires all levels of government and all political parties to work together for the health, safety, security and economic well-being of Canadian families and businesses,” MP Brassard said.
“As the local, provincial and federal governments continue putting restrictions in place, social distancing is one of the most important changes we can make in our daily lives, to help contain the spread of the virus in Barrie-Innisfil and across the country,” MP Brassard said, urging everyone to heed the advice of Health Canada and the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit.
“Continue practicing social distancing, avoid crowded places and keep at least two metres away from anyone who is coughing or sneezing.”
Follow these steps to protect yourself:
- Wash your hands frequently, for at least 20 seconds
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
- Avoid close contact with anyone who is sick
- Stay at least two metres away from anyone who is coughing or sneezing
- Cough and sneeze into your sleeve
- Stay at home if you are sick
Brassard’s constituency office remains closed to the public until further notice; however, staff will respond to phone calls, emails and social media inquiries. If you need assistance, call 705-726-5959 or email [email protected].
If you have questions about international travel, contact the Government of Canada COVID-19 information line at 1-833-784-4397 or visit www.Canada.ca/coronavirus
The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit has information on COVID-19 testing, symptoms and more: http://www.simcoemuskokahealth.org/Promos/Novel-Coronavirus
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