Image Credit: CFJC News

By Canadian Press

COVID-19

Canada to close border to non-citizens apart from US residents

Mar 16, 2020 | 11:01 AM

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada is closing its borders to most people who are not citizens or permanent residents to slow the spread of COVID-19.

The federal government is mandating air carriers to screen passengers with symptoms of the novel coronavirus out of lines so they don’t board planes home.

He says the country is taking “increasingly aggressive steps” to keep everyone safe.

Trudeau says that starting Wednesday, international flights will only be allowed to land at four airports: Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal.

He says that doesn’t apply to trade and business flights, as well as those from the U.S., Mexico, the Carribean as well as Saint Pierre and Miquelon.

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: Culturally appropriate food goes beyond the ingredients on a plate

13h ago

Two and Out

PETERS: Whether building up or tearing down, Kamloops is what you make it

Dec 13, 2024

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: How to reduce food waste in Kamloops during the festive season

Dec 13, 2024

The restrictions are part of three new measures announced today to stop the spread of COVID-19, with more coming later this week.

Canada is now denying entry to nearly everyone who isn’t a Canadian citizen or permanent resident but Americans are exempt from that ban.

Trudeau says the level of integration between Canada and the United States is behind that decision.

But he says there’s more work to be done in the coming days to ensure Canadians are being kept safe and that the necessary goods keep flowing.

Trudeau says Canada and the U.S. are co-ordinating closely.

More coming.