Coronavirus: Canada shuts borders to overseas nationals

A number of different nations have taken the identical step. The 27-nation European Union proposed shutting its exterior borders for 30 days on Monday.
“We will be denying entry into Canada to people who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents … it is a significant step that we take in exceptional circumstances,” Trudeau informed reporters outdoors his residence, the place he’s underneath quarantine after his spouse, Sophie, examined optimistic for the respiratory virus.
Because the virus’ unfold accelerates in Canada, Trudeau urged individuals to remain residence and prohibit contact with others.
“Staying home is an important step to protect the community and each other. We all have to do it,” he stated.
Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public well being officer, stated that the following two weeks had been essential in making an attempt to stem the outbreak.
The dying toll in Canada rose to 4 on Monday from one on Sunday. The variety of contaminated jumped to 407 from the 341 reported at 9 a.m. (1300 GMT) earlier within the day, medical officers stated.
The brand new deaths occurred in the identical nursing residence within the Pacific province of British Columbia, which is straight north of Washington, one of many worst-hit U.S. states.
Commerce is not going to be affected by the border closing. Canada shares an extended unguarded frontier with america, which takes 75% of Canadian items exports.
Requested why U.S. residents had been exempt, Trudeau stated the shut bilateral integration meant america was in a unique class from different nations. However he added that extra measures could possibly be introduced quickly.
“Both countries rely on each other to provide essential goods … so it’s very important we do this with a degree of precision and in the spirit of a strong relationship,” Well being Minister Patty Hajdu later informed reporters.
British Columbia stated, nevertheless, it was involved that U.S. residents could be allowed in.“Our strong message (is) that visitors from the United States not come to British Columbia,” stated provincial Well being Minister Adrian Dix.
The border closure helped drive down Air Canada’s inventory by as a lot as 38%.
Canada will reroute all worldwide flight arrivals to 4 airports – Toronto, Calgary, Montreal and Vancouver – and has imposed more durable screening.

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