Trudeau emphasizes global coordination on COVID-19 response

A sign explaining "Social Distancing" is posted at a supermarket in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, March 24, 2020. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday stressed the need for global coordination on the COVID-19 pandemic response.

"We can only overcome COVID-19 if we take action together as a global community," Trudeau said during his daily national address from Rideau Cottage after taking part in the Extraordinary G20 Leaders' Summit on COVID-19.

COVID-19 demands a global response and now, more than ever, all nations need to work together on ensuring supplies flow and a vaccine is developed, he said.

"We're going to do whatever it takes," Trudeau said, adding "it means working together to develop a vaccine, identify treatments and increase testing."

Trudeau also updated Canadians on the latest domestic response efforts, including the Quarantine Act.

His government is deploying the Quarantine Act in the fight against COVID-19, imposing a 14-day mandatory self-isolation rule for any traveller returning to Canada, The act went into effect Wednesday night.

"Unfortunately, there are a number of people who have not been following guidelines," Trudeau said. "We are implementing the Quarantine Act to keep all Canadians safe. If you do not comply with these instructions, you could face serious fines and even prison time."

As of 3 p.m. Canada Eastern Time Thursday, there were 3,897 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 37 deaths in the country.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)