Trudeau says he would not be able to repatriate all Canadians stranded abroad

#COVID19; #RepatriationOfCanadians; #SocialDistancing; #Self-Isolate

​Ottawa, Mar 21 (Canadian-Media): During a news conference outside his home at Rideau Cottage in Ottawa Saturday, Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that he won't be able to help all Canadians stranded abroad due to COVID-19 due to closed airspace and travel restrictions around the world, media reports said.

Justin Trudeau. Image credit: Official website

Priority to bring home would be Canadian citizens, permanent residents of Canada, or immediate family members of Canadian citizens.

Only people with  no signs of symptoms will be allowed to board, and all passengers will be told to self-isolate for 14 days after arriving in Canada.

The government is working with Air Canada to ensure that stranded Canadians can get home at a reasonable commercial price for their ticket.

Asked if the federal government will move to restrict travel within Canada, Trudeau urged people to self-isolate to protect themselves, and the health-care system and its workers.

Foreign Affairs Minister François-Philippe Champagne said at today's news conference that the government would help bring home people who want to get home, and the rest will be provided consular services.

He also informed the travelers about the new emergency loan program established by the government to allow them to access up to $5,000 for a ticket or accommodations due to a price spike or an extended stay due to travel restrictions.

Champagne said he had been discussing with his counterparts in Australia, Brazil, Germany, Morocco, Peru and Turkey about plans to facilitate the return home of nationals.

Earlier today, I held a call with counterparts from around the world to discuss helping our citizens and coordinating the international response to #COVID19.@MarisePayne @ernestofaraujo @HeikoMaas @MarocDiplomatie@GMeza_Cuadra@MevlutCavusoglu@DominicRaab pic.twitter.com/x9R2b4DS6b

— François-Philippe Champagne (FPC) □□ (@FP_Champagne) March 21, 2020