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The Canadian military has a plan to mobilize 24,000 regular and reserve force members to respond to novel coronavirus.

Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan said Monday the personnel are ready to help, although no requests for such help have come in at this point from provincial, municipal or territorial governments.

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Sajjan said the Canadian Forces can provide a wide variety of support and is in particular focusing on northern and Arctic communities. Those communities have limited health and logistics support capabilities.

“We are in touch with many remote communities,” Sajjan said.

“We’re able to provide direct support to northern communities.”

The Canadian Rangers will be used as the military’s eyes and ears in the northern communities, reporting back on what might be needed.

The Canadian Forces has an extensive logistics capability with its fleet of vehicles and aircraft. It can also set up mobile shelters and medical facilities.