Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is urging Canadians to take Covid-19 “very seriously, as numbers continue to head in the wrong direction.”
He added, “Our fight against this virus is not over, even as we’re preparing to say goodbye and good riddance to 2020.”
Speaking during a Friday news conference, Trudeau said, “Canadians are pretty good at making it through long tough winters, and this is going to be a longer and tougher one than we’re even used to.”
Frontline workers in Canada started to receive vaccinations earlier this week.
“Getting a vaccine, in a week or a month, won’t do you any good if you catch Covid-19 today,” he added.
Speaking in French, Trudeau asked Canadians across the country to stay inside, wear masks and continue to social distance through the holiday season.
“Christmas will not be the same way this year, but it’s still going to be an opportunity for us to be with a close one, physically or virtually,” Trudeau said.
“Just like through this spring, summer, and fall, we will continue to be there for you. We will have your back, every step of the way,” Trudeau promised. “We will do as a government, whatever it takes, for as long as it takes to keep you safe and supported. We’re coming into the final miles of this crisis, and we can’t give up now.”