Coronavirus: US To Close Canada Border For 'Non-Essential' Traffic

President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced that the border between the United States and Canada will close for non-essential travellers as the coronavirus epidemic intensified in both countries. He, however, clarified that the trade would not be impacted. "We will be, by mutual consent, temporarily closing our Northern Border with Canada to non-essential traffic. Trade will not be affected. Details to follow!" Trump tweeted.

The shutdown built on Trump’s barring of visitors from most of Europe, China and other parts of the world, as the number of confirmed virus cases in the US surged past 6,500, with 115 deaths.

Earlier on Monday, Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that he was closing its border to all foreign nationals except for US citizens and urged people to stay at home. “Over the past few days, we’ve seen COVID-19 spread around the world at an even faster pace. Canada is no exception,” Trudeau, who is in self-imposed quarantine after his wife tested positive for the deadly virus last week, said.

However, Canada’s Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said that Trudeau was also expected to make an announcement on the issue, without providing specifics. “What the prime minister is going to announce will reassure people,” he said in an interview with public broadcaster Radio-Canada.

Champagne promised new measures “proposed by both sides,” noting that hundreds of thousands of people cross the border every day.

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On Monday, Trudeau announced that Canada was closing its borders to foreign travelers with the notable exception of Americans—a position that drew criticism in Canada.

As of Wednesday morning, Canada had around 600 confirmed coronavirus cases and eight deaths.

With Agency Inputs