How Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Are Reacting to the Coronavirus Outbreak
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are taking necessary precautions amid the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.
It is understood that the Sussexes, who have both returned to Canada following their farewell tour of the UK earlier this month, are taking appropriate measures and heeding the advice of the government to help contain the spread of COVID-19.
As of March 17, there have been 449 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Canada, and on Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that the country is closing its borders to anyone except Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and—at least for the time being—U.S. citizens, as the country responds to the global pandemic.
"We will be denying entry to Canada to people who are not Canadian citizens, or permanent residents," he said at a press conference in Ottawa. "This measure will carve out some designated exceptions including for air crews, diplomats, immediate family members of Canadian citizens, and at this time, U.S. citizens."
Canadian public health leaders are also now asking residents to avoid non-essential travel, and to self-isolate for 14 days following travel from outside of the country.
The Guardian also recently pointed out that Prince Harry is just a few steps removed from someone with an confirmed case of COVID-19. Harry interacted with Formula 1 racer Lewis Hamilton on March 6 at the opening of the Silverstone Experience Centre. Prior to their meeting, Hamilton was in close contact with actor Idris Elba and Sophie Trudeau, the wife of the Canadian Prime Minister, both of whom have since tested positive. Hamilton has not commented publicly regarding testing or said if he has contracted the novel coronavirus.
As the Sussexes prepare to step back from their working royal roles at the end of this month, the rest of the royal family is figuring out how to navigate their duties amid an ongoing pandemic.
Just this morning, Buckingham Palace announced, "In consultation with the Medical Household and Government, a number of public events with large numbers of people due to have been attended by The Queen, and other Members of the Royal Family, in the coming months will be cancelled or postponed."
More specifically, the Queen's garden parties at Buckingham Palace have already been canceled, as has the annual Maundy Service at St George’s Chapel. And last week, Prince Charles and Camilla postponed their upcoming tour of Jordan, Cyprus, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, while the Queen canceled two visits around the UK amid COVID-19 concerns.
