As cases of COVID-19 continue to mount in Canada, the prime minister has announced $1 billion to limit the spread of the virus and mitigate the economic impact on Canadians.
"Our message to Canadians is clear: to every worker and business, in every province and territory, we have your back," said Justin Trudeau.
The fund includes $500 million for provinces and territories to support testing, new equipment, surveillance, and monitoring.
A release from the Government of Canada read, "financial considerations should not and will not be an obstacle to hospitals and health systems making the necessary preparations."
Efforts to develop a vaccine and testing in clinical trials will receive another $275 million, in addition to the $27 million recently announced to fund coronavirus research. 
Patient wearing a surgical mask and glove. © Can Stock Photo / pabkov
Public Health Canada will get $50 million to buy surgical masks, face shields, and isolation gowns.
"The resources announced today will help our hospitals and clinics across the country respond to any surge in demand. They will also increase our ability to educate Canadians about actions we can all take to limit the spread of COVID-19," said Health Minister Patty Hajdu.
Employment Insurance will waive the usual one-week waiting period for sickness benefits for workers in quarantine, or those who are self-isolating in their homes. Trudeau also told reporters the federal government is exploring additional measures to support affected Canadians, including income support for those who do not qualify for EI sickness benefits.
Enhancements to the Work-Sharing program will help businesses experiencing a downturn because of COVID-19. The length of time employers and workers can use work-share will be expanded from 38 weeks to 76. Should businesses find it harder to borrow, Trudeau said the government would stimulate the economy by strengthening investment in federal lending agencies like the Business Development Bank of Canada and Export Development Canada.
First Nations and Inuit communities will get $100 million, on top of the $50 million already announced, to support their response to the contagion. Another $50-million will go to the World Health Organization and other international partners working to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Earlier this week, Italy placed the entire country under quarantine to stop the spread of the virus. Trudeau indicated his government is not considering restrictions on the freedoms enjoyed by Canadians at this time.
"We will closely monitor what needs to be done to keep Canadians safe. We, of course, will focus on voluntary measures, on encouraging Canadians to follow the advice of their health professionals," he responded.
He also said he fully expected COVID-19 to be on the agenda when he meets with the country's premiers in Ottawa on Friday.
