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PM Trudeau: Canada closes borders to most international travelers; Americans exempted 'at this time'

Posted 3/16/20

Canada is closing their borders to international travelers, but Americans are excluded from the ban “at this time,” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a Monday press conference. “We …

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PM Trudeau: Canada closes borders to most international travelers; Americans exempted 'at this time'

Posted

Canada is closing their borders to international travelers, but Americans are excluded from the ban “at this time,” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a Monday press conference.

“We will be denying entry to Canada to people who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents,” Trudeau said, explaining that it is a measure to try and halt the spread of COVID-19 infections. “They are exceptional circumstances calling for exceptional measures.”

He said exemptions to the ban include, along with American citizens, “air crews, diplomats and immediate family of Canadian citizens.”

Americans entering Canada by land will be subjected to questions about their health.

"All travellers arriving in Canada are now subject to new, more broad-based questioning about their health," Canada Border Services Agency said in a Monday, March 16 email. "CBSA officers not only query travellers on the state of their health, they are there to observe visible signs of illness and will refer any traveller who they suspect of being ill, regardless of how the traveller responded to the health screening question."

Travelers who show symptoms of COVID-19 "are not permitted to board a public conveyance for onward travel (plane, bus, train, etc.), and are required to self-isolate for the next 14 days. They will also be required to fill out a PHAC Coronavirus form, which allows health authorities to monitor and track those who have been identified as a potential concern," CBSA said.

Air operators in Canada will be required to do a basic health assessment of every traveler and bar any passengers who present symptoms of COVID-19 from getting on their airplanes.

"This means that anyone who has symptoms will not be able to come to Canada," Trudeau said.

Starting Wednesday, March 18, Canada will divert most international flights to one of four airports so passengers can be screened for COVID-19.

“Anyone who has symptoms will not be able to come to Canada,” the Canadian PM said during the press conference.

The four airports are Toronto Pearson, Montreal Trudeau, Calgary International and Vancouver International. Flights from the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, St. Pierre and Miquelon will be able to fly to their normal destinations.

The ban also does not affect commerce and trade air traffic, Trudeau said.

A recording of the press conference is available here.