Dear Vancouver Quadra residents,

Thank you for writing to me with your concerns about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Due to the volume of emails my office is currently receiving, I have outlined a response to the various questions I have received. Please continue to check my website for continual updates.

Due to concerns of the COVID-19 outbreak, our office will be closed to walk-in visits until further notice. If you require assistance please call 604-664-9220 or email [email protected]

The challenging COVID-19 global pandemic continues to evolve rapidly in Canada and BC. In my role as cabinet minister and Vancouver Quadra’s MP, know that your federal government is working diligently to keep people safe, and to support our economy, businesses and workers’ multiple challenges.

Canada is responding to this outbreak in coordination with the provinces based fully on professional advice of pandemic experts and our leading Public Health officials; advice based on evidence and lessons learned from previous pandemics. Canada’s focus is to limit the spread of the virus’s potential impacts on our people, our economy, and our small businesses.

So far, our government has put forward $1 billion to work with provinces, territories, and our Indigenous partner to minimize the outbreak’s health, economic, and social impact. To help businesses, we activated the Business Credit Availability Program making $10 billion available to businesses facing cash crunches in the short term.

On March 16, the Prime Minister announced that the Canadian border will be closed (with the exception of Canadian citizens and residents, aircrews, diplomats, and U.S. citizens.) Furthermore, airlines are now formally mandated to do health checks and prevent all travellers with COVID-19 symptoms from boarding a plane. Only 4 Canadian airports will accept international flight (except flights from the US, Mexico, the Caribbean, and St. Pierre-et-Miquelon.) Further economic measures that target help to the most vulnerable will be announced in the next few days. Our government will continue to work diligently to keep Canadians and their families safe.

By stopping most foreign nationals and anyone who is sick from entering the country, and by requiring a 14-day quarantine for all people entering Canada, our government has massively escalated measures to control the spread of COVID-19. These steps are unprecedented.

We remain deeply interconnected with the US for access to food, essential goods and medical supplies.

Some have asked me why these actions do not go further. Our government will continue to monitor the situation hour by hour and take other measures as necessary.

As we monitor the latest advice as to how to best protect you, your family, and your community, and to slow the coronavirus spread in Canada, we encourage you to check updates from the provincial Health Officer: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19. and federal Health Ministry: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html.

My constituency staff will continue to work from home. If you need access to any MP services or more information, you can contact my office by email at [email protected] or by phone at 604-664-9220.

Warm Regards,

Hon. Joyce Murray, MP, PC

Vancouver Quadra