Canadian-American Border Now Closed to Non-essential Traffic

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that travellers will no longer be able to cross the border for recreational and tourism purposes.

"These measures will last in place as long as we feel they need to last," Trudeau told reporters from outside his home at Rideau Cottage, where he and his family are currently in self-isolation.

"In both our countries, we're encouraging people to stay home. We're telling our citizens not to visit their neighbours if they don't absolutely have to."

Public Safety Minister Bill Blair said that Canadians, permanent residents, international students,workers on visas and temporary foreign workers will also be able to enter Canada, with the expectation that they'll respect the government's request to self-isolate for 14 days.