US to close Canada border to ‘non-essential’ traffic, Trump declares

American president says closure will not affect trade, as both countries see rise in number of coronavirus cases; Trudeau to make an announcement

By AFP 18 March 2020, 6:45 pm

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Travelers heading to the US arrive at the Canada Customs booths in Sarnia, Ontario, on March 16, 2020. (Geoff Robins/AFP)

WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced the closure of the US-Canada border to non-essential travelers as the coronavirus epidemic intensified 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 tweeted.

Canada’s Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said Prime Minister Justin 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.

US President Donald Trump (L) talks with Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during the NATO summit at the Grove hotel in Watford, northeast of London, December 4, 2019. (Nicholas Kamm/AFP)

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.