US President Donald Trump announces the closure of the US-Canada border to nonessential travelers as the coronavirus epidemic intensifies in both countries — but said that trade would not be impacted.
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.
“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 tweets.
Canada’s Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is 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 promises new measures “proposed by both sides,” noting that hundreds of thousands of people cross the border every day.
As of Wednesday evening, Canada has around 600 confirmed coronavirus cases and eight deaths.
— AFP
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