OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in self-isolation as his wife, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, is being tested for COVID-19.
The Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement Thursday that Grégoire Trudeau had recently returned from a speaking engagement in London, U.K. She began “exhibiting mild flu-like symptoms including a low fever late last night,” it read.
“She immediately sought medical advice, and is being tested for the COVID-19 virus. She is self-isolating at home awaiting test results, and her symptoms have since subsided.”
The prime minister is exhibiting no symptoms himself, the statement read.
He was scheduled to meet with premiers and Indigenous leaders Thursday and Friday, but those meetings have since been postponed.
Watch: Health minister says WHO pandemic declaration doesn’t change Canada’s approach to the virus. Story continues below video.
COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, is characterized by coughing, fever, and shortness of breath though symptoms may not appear until 14 days after exposure. Due to its geographic spread, it was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on Wednesday.
The virus, which originated in China, has infected more than 113,000 people worldwide and killed more than 4,000, according to the WHO, but a large majority have recovered. In Canada, there have been about 100 cases so far, with one death at a B.C. care home.
Trudeau is not the only federal party leader in self-isolation. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh tweeted Thursday that he’s feeling “unwell” and is staying home as a precaution.
Jagmeet Singh✔@theJagmeetSingh
Friends, I am at home today, feeling unwell.
I have been in contact with a doctor and they do not believe I have symptoms consistent with COVID19. But their advice is for me to limit contact with the public until I am feeling better.
Two cabinet ministers have also opted to err on the side of caution and stay home. Natural Resources Minister Seamus O’Regan tweeted Tuesday that he feels “fine” but is working from home while he has a persistent cough checked out.
International Trade Minister Mary Ng said she was tested for COVID-19 after her asthma began acting up. Following the advice of doctors, she will work from home for the time being, she said.
Trudeau’s decision to self-isolate comes a day after he told reporters he hasn’t been tested for the COVID-19 virus. He told reporters he’s following recommendations from the chief public health officer.
“I myself have been modifying my schedule in order to adapt travel plans so that I’m not interfering with any work that’s being done on the ground,” the prime minister said in French.
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The federal government pledged $1 billion Wednesday to help provinces and territories respond to COVID-19.
Half of the money is earmarked to help those governments directly, while the other half is to fund research and vaccine development and increasing preparedness in First Nations and Inuit communities.
The government said it will also waive a one-week waiting period for employment insurance benefits.
“No-one should have to worry about their job if they have to be quarantined,” Trudeau told reporters in Ottawa on the negative impacts of COVID-19. “No employer should feel like they have to lay off a worker because of the virus.”
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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
