OTTAWA–Prominent Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner has been working remotely from Oklahoma in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rempel Garner said she traveled to Oklahoma — where her husband and stepchildren live — on an “unexpected and urgent private personal matter” before Canada and the U.S. imposed travel restrictions at the border.

In a statement to the Star, Rempel Garner said she has been in constant contact with Conservative party whip Mark Strahl, and the party has advised her to shelter-in-place and work remotely like other MPs.

“(I am) reevaluating the situation on a daily basis, and continue with my duties remotely, given that there are no physical events in either Calgary or Ottawa that I can regularly attend due to COVID-19 isolation guidelines, (or) party mandates on MP attendance,” Rempel Garner wrote, noting that she has informed her constituents of her whereabouts.

“I did not travel to the U.S. purposely to be with my family during the COVID-19 crisis … I have never allowed my personal life to interfere with my service to my community.”

The Calgary-Nose Hill MP and former cabinet minister added that while working remotely, she has been writing policy, assisting constituents, advocating for changes to the Liberal government’s emergency pandemic supports, and recently virtually participated in a meeting of the House of Commons industry committee.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on March 18 that Canada and the U.S. would shut the border to “non-essential” travel for 30 days. The agreement was renewed for a second 30-day period earlier this month, as the two countries struggle to contain the COVID-19 outbreak.

When asked if the border closure had left her stranded, Rempel Garner said that the situation remains “fluid and difficult” given the reduction in airline operations.

“(But) I could, and will, drive, when advised to do so by my party whip or once it is clear that I can resume in-person duties in Calgary,” Rempel Garner said.

“My family understands that our specific circumstance means that when this happens, we likely won't see each other for an extended period of time, but we also understand the nature of my responsibilities.”

Rempel Garner said she already has “fully compliant” plans in place for a 14-day quarantine once she can return to Alberta.

A special COVID-19 committee of MPs is scheduled to meet virtually on Tuesday — the first of a new House of Commons schedule that includes two online sessions and one in-person meeting of a handful of MPs each week.

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Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt announced plans to re-open the state’s economy last week, indicating that the state had successfully “flattened the curve.” Beginning May 1, restaurants, sporting venues, gyms, movie theatres and places of worship will be permitted to re-open — as long as they follow certain precautions, according to local NBC affiliate KFOR. Oklahoma has reported 3,280 cases of COVID-19, including 197 deaths.

Alberta has not yet detailed plans on re-opening, and most recently reported 4,696 confirmed cases including 75 deaths.

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