Canada will close its borders to people who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents with the exception of U.S. citizens, diplomats and “essential workers” in an effort to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus, effective Wednesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday.
When asked about the science behind the government’s rationale, Mr. Trudeau said Ottawa recognizes the level of integration between the Canadian and U.S. economies puts the United States in a “separate category.”
Mr. Trudeau’s announcement comes after a flurry of developments over the weekend including a warning from the federal government to Canadians to get home while the means to do so are still available and a stark message from Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, Theresa Tam, that the window to stop the spread is narrowing.
The Prime Minister, who himself is in self-isolation after his wife Sophie Grégoire Trudeau tested positive for the coronavirus last week, said Monday that airlines will receive a formal government order to ban all passengers who are presenting symptoms from getting on board.
Source: Canada.ca