Trudeau isolates after COVID exposure as truckers he says have 'unacceptable views' close in

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in isolation for COVID exposure, while the "Freedom Convoy" of truckers protesting mandates is closing in on the capital of Ottawa.

The Liberal Party leader announced Thursday morning that although he tested negative for the virus after being exposed, he plans on "isolating for five days." Trudeau, 50, is vaccinated and boosted against the virus.

"I feel fine and will be working from home. Stay safe, everyone – and please get vaccinated," he said.

The Canadian truckers gathered in a self-described "Freedom Convoy" in protest of the requirement that forces all unvaccinated cross-border truckers to quarantine for 14 days after entering from the United States. America issued a similar mandate one week later.

Trudeau criticized the group during a press conference Wednesday evening. 

"The small fringe minority of people who are on their way to Ottawa, who are holding unacceptable views that they are expressing, do not represent the views of Canadians," Trudeau said, according to Global News.

"[Canadians] who have been there for each other, who know that following the science and stepping up to protect each other is the best way to continue to ensure our freedoms, our rights, our values as a country," he added, stressing that nearly 90% of truckers are vaccinated in his country.

The Freedom Convoy claims to be composed of almost 50,000 trucks. The group plans to be in Ottawa by Saturday.

Truckers, inspired by Canada, are gathering in Europe, Australia and the United States to protest vaccine mandates.