The Canadian government has unveiled its plan to deal with COVID-19.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a $1 billion response fund to combat and mitigate the impacts of the outbreak in Canada.
The government's announcement encompasses the new economic and health supports, as well as those already underway, totalling $1.9 billion.
The plan includes $500M to support provinces and territories, and $275M in research funding.
The government is also waving the one-week waiting period for EI, and pumping another $5M for Employment Insurance sickness benefits.
Trudeau says no one will lose their job because they need to be in self-isolation.
He says Canada has been fortunate so far but the country needs to be prepared for all scenarios.
The illness has sickened more than 100,000 people around the world and led to mass quarantines and restrictions on public gatherings
The Liberals say their approach to tackling the virus is focused on: cross-government and cross-institution collaboration, evidence-based decision-making, a proportional response to the level of threat, and flexibility as the situation evolves.
Here is a breakdown of the funding:
-Support for provinces and territories: $500 million
-Investing in research: $275 million
-Immediate and additional public health response, including funding for Indigenous Services Canada: $150 million
-Sustained communications and public education: $50 million
-Personal protective equipment: $50 million
-International assistance: $50 million
-Repatriation of Canadians: $7 million
-Employment Insurance sickness benefits: $5 million
-Initial support to the World Health Organization: $2 million