Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urges Canadians to take the Covid-19 “very seriously, as the numbers continue in the wrong direction.”
He added: “Our fight against this virus is not over, although we are preparing to say goodbye and release 2020.”
At a press conference on Friday, Trudeau said, “Canadians are pretty good at spending long, hard winters, and that will be longer and harder than we’re even used to.”
Canada’s front-line workers began receiving vaccines earlier this week.
“Getting a vaccine in a week or a month will do you no good if you take Covid-19 today,” he added.
Speaking in French, Trudeau asked Canadians across the country to stay inside, wear masks and continue to social distance during the holiday season.
“Christmas won’t be the same this year, but it will still be an opportunity to be with one up close, physically or virtually,” Trudeau said.
“Just like during this spring, summer and autumn, we will continue to be there for you. We will have our backs every step of the way, ”Trudeau promised. “We will do it as a government, do whatever it takes, whenever necessary to keep it safe and supported. We have reached the last kilometers of this crisis and now we cannot give up.”