Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on March 18, 2020 that the border between Canada and the United States will be temporarily closed to non-essential traffic.
“Well I think essential is medical, we have military working together, we have industry working together, and again, it’s not affecting trade, so things like that…But just leisurely ‘let’s go to a restaurant and have dinner,’ which a lot of people do … we have ended on a temporary basis.”
President Donald Trump
The decision to close borders is mutual and the effort to implement the closure will be ‘collaborative’. Residents of both countries are being asked to return home immediately. Trade is not intended to be effected by the closure, and trucking will likely not be effected.
Following Broader Closures
The temporarily closure with US borders follows the ban follows of most foreign travelers to Canada in order to limit the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
Canada will close its borders to people who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
Prime minister Justin Trudeau
There is currently no expected date for reopening the borders. Canada is closely monitoring the virus domestically and internationally.