Canada-U.S. border closure amid coronavirus likely to start Friday night

The Canada.-U.S. border will likely be closed to non-essential travel by Friday night as the two countries move quickly to curtail the rapid spread of the new coronavirus, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Thursday.

“We are working on the final details with the U.S. but we expect the measures to come into effect sometime during the night between Friday and Saturday… in about a day and a half,” Trudeau told reporters from Rideau Cottage in Ottawa, where he is under self-isolation after his wife tested positive for the virus last week.

The ban on non-essential travel between the border was first announced Wednesday. Trudeau, who finalized the agreement in a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump, said the decision came out of a need to follow public-health advice.

There are exceptions to the ban, including for aircrews, diplomats, immediate families and U.S. citizens.

Trudeau made clear that “essential travel” won’t stop and will not disrupt the flow of supply chains bringing essential goods like food, fuel, medicines and other services into either country.

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