Office of the Official Opposition
For Immediate Release

St. John's, NL (July 30, 2020) – – PC Opposition Critic for Tourism, Culture, Industry, and Innovation and MHA for Terra Nova, Lloyd Parrott, is criticizing recent comments made by the Minister of Health and Community Services, John Haggie, regarding recent reports of US military personnel not self-isolating.

“Regardless of how you enter the province, either via a military carrier, flight, or ship, the Government of Newfoundland has an obligation to protect its citizens. Military personnel do not fall under a separate set of rules, to suggest so is absurd, and once again is an example of this Liberal Governments’ inability to manage this situation. They continually question the intelligence of the public with this type of misinformation,” says Parrott.

Parrott is a former member of the Canadian military.

“Would the Minister’s response be the same if one of these soldiers committed a crime? Absolutely not,” added Parrott.

Parrott says this is once again a prime example of why mandatory testing should be conducted at all points of entry.

“It not only gives us the opportunity to get a ‘snapshot’ of an individual’s current condition, but it also gives us the opportunity to ensure that the proper information is provided to those entering the province,” concluded Parrott.

Contacts:

Bradley Russell

Director of Policy and Research

(p) 1.709.729.3668

BradleyRussell@gov.nl.ca

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