Canadian PM Justin Trudeau 'self-isolating' as wife Sophie is tested for coronavirus

12 March 2020, 16:24

Prime minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Grégoire Trudeau
Prime minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Grégoire Trudeau. Picture: Getty

By Tobi Akingbade

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is “self isolating” after his wife Sophie returned from the UK experiencing "mild flu-like" symptoms.

The Prime Minister’s office released a statement that Mr Trudeau will be working from home.

Mrs Trudeau attended the WE Day UK charity event and concert held at the SSE Arena in London on March 4.

WE Day London saw thousands of people attend the stadium-sized sized event.

“Having recently returned from a speaking engagement in London, UK, the Prime Minister’s wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau began exhibiting mild flu-like symptoms including a low fever last night," the statement said on Thursday (March 12).

“She immediately sought medical advice, and is being tested for COVID-19 virus. She is self-isolating at home awaiting test results, and her symptoms have since subsided.”

“The doctor’s advice to the Prime Minister is to continue to daily activities while self-monitoring, given he is exhibiting no symptoms himself. However, out of an abundance of caution, the Prime Minister is opting to self-isolate and work from home until receiving Sophie’s results.

WE Day UK 2020
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on stage at the WE Day UK charity event and concert held at The SSE Arena. Picture: Getty

Under his doctor's advice, he is continuing daily activities while monitoring his health but "out of an abundance of caution" he is working from home, the statement said.

Mr Trudeau was scheduled to hold meetings over the next two days in Ottawa with provincial premiers and First Nations leaders. Those meetings have been postponed.

The PM will now be speaking with those provincial counterparts over the phone, with the topic focusing on Canada's response to the pandemic, said the prime minister's office in the statement.

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

On Tuesday (March 11) UK's health minister Nadine Dorries, 62, confirmed she was the first MP to be diagnosed with coronavirus.

Taking to social media earlier this week, Ms Dorries said she was "over the worst" of the illness, but said she was concerned for the welfare of her 84-year-old mother who was showing signs of Covid-19.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Care is understood to have fallen ill on Friday last week, and is now in isolation and recovering.

Labour & Co-operative MP for York Central, Rachael Maskell was advised to self-isolate after recently coming into contact with Ms Dorries in a meeting last week.

Ms Maskell's meeting with Ms Dorries took place in Parliament on Thursday, the day the minister exhibited symptoms.

Latest World News

See more Latest World News

Iran has denied backing Yemen's Houthis after the US launched airstrikes in the country's capital and Donald Trump promised to 'hold Iran accountable' for allegedly supporting the rebels.

Iran denies aiding Houthi rebels after US strikes Yemen and Trump threatens to hold Tehran 'fully accountable'

Pope Francesco greets the faithful in St. Peter's Square.

Pope facing 'period of trial' as Pontif issues Sunday prayer from hospital

A firefighter inspects a nightclub after a massive fire in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Sunday, March 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)

Arrest warrants issued for four people as North Macedonia nightclub fire death toll rises to 59

At least 50 dead after fire rips through nightclub in North Macedonia

At least 50 dead after fire rips through nightclub in North Macedonia

This image made from video by NASA shows astronauts waving after the SpaceX capsule docked with the International Space Station, Sunday, March 16, 2025. Top row from left: Nick Hague, Alexander Gorbunov, Suni Williams, Alexei Ovchinin.

Over the moon: SpaceX capsule docks with ISS as stranded NASA astronauts welcome replacement crew

A view of the pollution caused by garbage and various wastes following the thousands of Palestinians displaced under the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel have returned to the northern Gaza Strip in Jabalia, Gaza on March 13, 2025.

US rejects Hamas’s ‘entirely impractical’ demands to implement ceasefire as talks reach impasse

The US has launched large strikes in Yemen as Donald Trump promised "overwhelming lethal force" until the Houthis cease attacks on shipping.

US launches strikes on Yemen as Trump promises 'overwhelming lethal force' against Houthis

"I ran, not to rip the joey away from its mother, but from fear she might attack me," Jones, who also uses the name Samantha Strable, posted on social media.

American influencer apologises after being threatened with deportation for snatching baby wombat from mum

Soccer - International Friendly - Venezuela v Nigeria

England star John Fashanu arrested over 'five crimes' as he sues police for £100,000 compensation

NASA astronauts Nick Hague, right, Suni Williams, and Butch Wilmore. (NASA via AP)

'Stranded' NASA astronauts set to return from nine month space mission - but what health issues could they face?

Smoke billows from the MV Solong cargo ship in the North Sea, off the Yorkshire coast in England, Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (Dan Kitwood/Pool Photo via AP)

Russian captain of Solong container ship remanded in custody following crash with US oil tanker

BRITAIN-UKRAINE-DIPLOMACY-POLITICS-DEFENCE

'Coalition of the willing': Starmer hosts Ukraine peace summit as PM urges Putin to 'come to the negotiating table'

Melbourne, Australia. 15th Mar, 2025. Lando Norris of McLaren celebrates taking pole position during Qualifying at Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne, Victoria, Saturday, March 15, 2025.

Lando Norris takes pole in Australia GP qualifying - as Lewis Hamilton trails in eighth on Ferrari debut

Merritt Island, Florida, USA. 14th Mar, 2025. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying Crew-10 astronauts lifts off from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on Mar. 14.

SpaceX rocket finally launches to bring two stranded NASA astronauts back to earth after nine months

Vladimir Putin must stop playing games with a ceasefire and come to the table, Sir Keir Starmer said, as he convenes world leaders to discuss peacekeeping in Ukraine

Starmer to host Ukraine peace summit - as he warns Putin to 'stop playing games' with ceasefire and come to table

Donald Trump speaks at the Justice Department

Trump insists peace talks with Russia are going 'really well' despite Putin being accused of 'delaying tactics'