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COVID-19: Canada closes borders Friday March 19

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Canada closes borders – This afternoon Prime Minister Justin Trudeau declared that Canada will be closed to visitors from any country other than Canada and the United States. Trudeau stated that Canadian citizens, Canadian residents and family members are exempt, as are United States citizens.

The borders are expected to be closed to non-essential travellers on Friday night.

Standing in front of Rideau Cottage in Ottawa, where Justin Trudeau is self-isolating, the Prime Minister also stipulated a few exceptions, saying that air crews, immediate family, diplomats and commerce and trade traffic will still be allowed into Canada. This would include plane, train and truck drivers as well as other commerce allowances

Canada closes borders Friday night March 19

In addition to closing its borders to foreigners, only four dedicated airports will be accepting international flights. These are Toronto’s Pearson International Airport, Montreal’s Trudeau Airport, Vancouver International Airport and Calgary International Airport.

Trudeau also said that airlines will ban anyone showing symptoms of the virus from getting on a plane.

“That means anyone who has symptoms will not be able to enter Canada,” said the Prime Minister.

Trudeau asserted that “we can still slow the spread of the virus but that window is closing.”

He instructed travelling Canadians to come home and that when they arrive they must self-isolate for two weeks. “If you are abroad it is time for you to come home,” said Trudeau.

The PM also emphatically advised all Canadians to “stay home.” We trust that we are doing our best to keep Canadians safe,” said Prime Minister Trudeau.

When asked why United States citizens were exempted, Trudeau said the two nations are “collaborating closely with a particular level of integration.”

The Canadian Prime Minister after advising all Canadians to stay home as much as possible emphasised that it is important to maintain communication through talking, text and facetime.

Trudeau concluded by saying “our priority is the safety of Canadians.”

As of Monday morning, there were 324 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Canada. Ontario had 145 cases but that increased by 32 more on Monday to 177 confirmed cases of novel coronavirus.

by Terry Lankstead

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