US, Canada close border to nonessential travel
The border between Canada and the U.S. will close for nonessential travel.
President Donald Trump confirmed the news in a tweet on Wednesday: “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!”
“I just spoke to President Trump again this morning and we have agreed that both Canada and the United States will temporarily restrict all nonessential travel across the Canada-u.s. border,” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said.
Vice President Mike Pence said in a Wednesday briefing the decision was “by mutual consent.”
U.S. flights headed to Canada will fly as scheduled, though passengers will face screening, according to the U.S. State Department.
Those arriving must self-isolate for 14 days, and anyone exhibiting symptoms won’t be allowed to enter Canada.
Trudeau clarified that “essential travel” won’t stop. “Our governments recognize that it is critical we preserve supply chains between both countries,” Trudeau said.
These supply chains include the passage of food, fuel and medicines reach people in both countries. Trucking won’t be affected, for example.
But travelers won’t be permitted to cross the border for recreation and tourism, Trudeau said.
Why now?
“We took major measures on Monday to close off our borders to international travelers, and we took two days to coordinate this further measure with the United States to ensure that we do it properly and in cooperation with each other,” Trudeau said.
Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland called Pence on Tuesday for the purpose of beginning discussions, and they were able to make the announcement Wednesday.
Extra travel right now, based on government guidance, could be a hindrance to stopping the spread of the virus.
In the U.S. and Canada, people are encouraged to to stay home.
“This collaborative and reciprocal measure is an extension of that prudent approach,” Trudeau said.
However, essential travel and trade is still being allowed because of health and economic safety.
“The fact is we are working very closely with the United States at this time to introduce specific rules that will keep both Canadians and Americans safe,” Trudeau said.
When will the travel ban go into effect? How will it be enforced?
“It will be happening very soon,” Trudeau said.
He noted Canada is working with the U.S. so measures can begin quickly, and the Canada Border Services Agency has adequate resources to meet the challenge of ensuring the ban’s enforcement.
When will the border between the U.S. and Canada reopen?
It’s unclear.