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Justin Trudeau self-isolating after wife shows coronavirus symptoms

Sophie Grégoire Trudeau displayed 'mild flu-like symptoms' after a trip to London

Clark Mindock
New York
Thursday 12 March 2020 16:58 GMT
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Cornershop giving coronavirus kits of hand gel and face masks for free to elderly

Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau has announced he will self-isolate after his wife began showing symptoms of coronavirus.

The decision was made after Mr Trudeau and his wife, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, returned from a trip to London, according to a statement.

Ms Trudeau then displayed "mild flu-like symptoms including a low fever late last night," the Thursday statement said.

While her symptoms have since subsided, Mr Trudeau has gone into self-isolation, and will conduct in-person meetings by phone.

"The prime minister will spend the day in briefings, phone calls and virtual meetings from home, including speaking with other world leaders and joining the special COVID-19 cabinet committee discussion," the statement reads.

Mr Trudeau's self-isolation comes amid concerns around the impact the virus would have if it spreads to world leaders.

On Thursday, Brazil announced that its president, Jair Bolsonaro, was being monitored for the virus after it was determined that a top aide of his had tested postive for COVID-19.

Mr Bolsonaro and that aide were both with American president Donald Trump over the weekend at Mar-a-Lago, and a picture of the aide shows the man standing alongside Mr Trump and vice president Mike Pence.

Mr Trump has said he is not concerned that he might contract the virus, even as his administration has been criticised for its response to the outbreak.

The US president on Wednesday night also announced that he would be implementing a travel ban on Europeans coming to the US, excluding the United Kingdom.

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