Quebec cabinet ministers, Montreal mayor in isolation after Longueuil mayor tests positive for COVID-19

Several members of the Quebec government and the mayor of the province's largest city are in isolation after meetingwith a municipal politician who tested positive for COVID-19.

Sylvie Parent, mayor of Longueuil on Montreal's South Shore, saidshe first experienced symptoms of the viruson Friday, and was tested the next day after she found out someone she had interacted with had tested positive.

Her positive test result came Sunday, after a busy week of meetings.

She was at a news conference last Wednesday alongside Transport Minister Franois Bonnardel and junior transport minister Chantal Rouleau, who doubles as the minister responsible for Montreal, and Laval Mayor Marc Demers.

The following day, she attended a news conference with Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette,Vachon MNA Ian Lafrenireand Catherine Fournier, MNA for Marie-Victorin.

All sixarein isolation as they await their results.

The ruling Coalition Avenir Qubecis scheduled to hold its pre-sessional caucus later this week. It seems likely the event will take place without three influential members of the provincialcabinet.

Montreal Mayor Valrie Plante, as well,said on TwitterTuesday she wouldalso go into isolation since she met with Rouleau last week.

Web of exposure

Theweb of people potentially exposedto COVID-19 from Parentunderscored the challenge of containing the spread of the virus.

At a news conference Tuesday, Education MinisterJean-Franois Roberge said he may also need get tested. He said he had met with Jolin-Barrette on Friday.

Later in the day, a spokesperson for Robergerealized, after checking his agenda, that they had not in fact met in person butthat he would monitor himself for any symptoms.

Public Security MinisterGenevive Guilbault, who was beside Roberge at the news conference, said she would use the province's self-assessment tool to determine if she also should get tested.

"We all are wondering, 'at what point should I isolate myself?'she said.

"When Jean-Franois was answering the question, I realized that I'm just beside him. So this is some of the chain reaction. At what point should we isolate ourselves. I will also go on the website and see the checkpoints, if I should [isolate]."

Watch:Public Security MinisterGenevive Guilbault realizes she too may need to isolate

Quebec's deputy premier realizes she may have to go into preventive isolation

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Genevive Guilbault, the deputy premier of Quebec, made the comments after three cabinet ministers said they would self-isolate as a preventive measure.

Parent, for her part, said the fact she has contracted COVID-19 should stand as a cautionary tale for everyone.

"I have often added my voice to those who remind us that the pandemic is far from over, and I am proof of that today," Parent said in a statement.

"I reiterate the importance for each of us to respect the physical distancing rules and public health directives."