NDP Leader Ryan Meili spoke to the media from home Thursday, after self isolating due to his wife Mahli Brindamour falling ill, that morning. Meili says that they are changing their social distancing to self isolation until she can get tested for COVID-19.

Meili called for further public health measures to stop COVID-19, including support for workers and businesses facing temporary closure. He called on the suspension of all child care centres, not only those in schools, and to suspend any non-urgent dental care, adding there needs to be clear direction from the government when it comes to non-essential businesses.

“We had a clear message from the mayors of Regina and Saskatoon, we had a clear message from hundreds of doctors, who wrote a letter urging businesses to close. We have not yet had that clear message from the government on what the step is, we’re asking for that today.”

Meili is calling on the province to provide clear direction to businesses, Crowns and organizations to limit non-essential operations and gatherings, and urge work-from-home arrangements wherever possible. He asked for grants for small businesses to help them deal with reduced cash flows, a moratorium on residential evictions related to COVID-19 and a plan to assist renters and commercial tenants.