Politico | Coronavirus: Justin Trudeau says Canada-US border to close to non-essential travel on Friday night
- Trade will continue, including deliveries of food, fuel and medicine
- Canada has already closed borders to most international travellers, excluding US citizens
This story is published in a content partnership with POLITICO. It was originally reported by Maura Forrest on politico.com on March 19, 2020.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says his country’s border with the US is likely close to non-essential travel on Friday night to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
Speaking to reporters from his home in Ottawa on Thursday morning, Trudeau said the two governments “are continuing to work on the fine-tuning of the agreement between Canada and the United States”, but said it is close to being finalised.
Trudeau and US President Donald Trump both announced on Wednesday morning they were working on a mutual agreement to close the border to tourism and recreational travel.
The border will stay open to trade, and Trudeau assured Canadians on Wednesday that deliveries of food, fuel and medicine would continue. Still, there remain unanswered questions about what else will be considered essential cross-border travel.