By Thomas I. Likness
EBC Edmonton Bureau
EDMONTON (Eagle News) — Alberta’s chief medical officer of health said there will be no quick end to the public health emergency as a result of COVID-19.
Dr. Deena Hinshaw said Friday the extraordinary social distancing measures in place in Alberta will remain for some time.
“While not completely shutting down our social structure, we know whatever measures we put in place we will need to sustain them for weeks if not months,” said Hinshaw. “We’re simply slowing down the spread, stopping it as much as possible.”
Hinshaw added there must be some balance in the government’s measures.
“We’re wanting to balance those two parts of our key pandemic objectives — reducing the impact on people, reducing the damage that the virus can cause in terms of ill health and death and also making sure we are not overly destructive to society when it’s not necessary,” she said.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wouldn’t rule out a lockdown for Canada.
“We are looking at all possible different measures,” said Trudeau. “As I’ve said repeatedly, nothing is off the table but we will continue to announce measures as they become necessary.”
Trudeau also said as far as Canadians who are stranded abroad, discussions are underway with airlines to help them come home.
The first flight will pick up Canadians from Morocco this weekend.
Trudeau said the Canada-US border will be closed to all non-essential travel at midnight Friday.
He added the two countries have a reciprocal arrangement to return refugees and asylum seekers who attempt to cross anywhere at the Canada-US border.
As well, Trudeau called on the country’s manufacturing sector to join the fight to stop the spread of COVID-19.
He announced a plan Friday to help industry increase production or retool their manufacturing lines to make life-saving products.
“This initiative will help companies already making things like masks, ventilators and hand sanitizer to massively scale up production,” said Trudeau. “It will also provide support for those who want to retool their manufacturing facilities to contribute to this fight.”
Trudeau said auto parts manufacturers asked how they could help. He says the government will help them shift production from auto parts to medical supplies.
(Eagle News Service)