Canada closes border to foreign citizens amid COVID-19

By Barry Ellsworth

TRENTON, Canada (AA) – Canada has closed its borders to all foreign citizens, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced at a press conference, Monday.

As well, if someone has symptoms, they will not be allowed into the country, he said.

“Anyone who has symptoms will not be able to come to Canada,” Trudeau said.

Exceptions will be made for air diplomats, immediate family members and U.S. citizens.

And all international flights will be funneled to four airports in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus, said Trudeau. The airports are Montreal, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver.

Trudeau also had a message for Canadians who are abroad.

“It’s time for you to come home,” he said.

The prime minister also said Canadians should stay in their homes except for essential tasks like buying food and getting medications.

The new measures are to fight the malignant growth of COVID-19. As of Monday morning the number of cases grew to 377 from 197. One death has been reported.

The new flight rule has been introduced to funnel international arrivals to fewer airports for better control. More stringent screening procedures will also be used.

The Canada Border Services Agency will greet arrivals with the question: “Do you currently have a cough, difficulty breathing, or feel you have a fever?”

Canada suspended the parliament Friday until April 20 and that means the budget, which was to have been introduced March 30, has been postponed.

In Ontario, Premier Doug Ford has ordered more than 4,800 schools affecting two million students be closed for an extended period. Other provinces have followed suit.

Ontario, Canada’s most populated province, has more than 177 confirmed cases, the most of any of the 10 provinces.

Ford said new legislation to be passed will instruct employers to provide absences for employees affected by COVID-19.

Due to a shortage of nasal swabs, Ontario has also limited coronavirus tests to the most vulnerable groups, including health care workers who exhibit symptoms and elderly residents of long-term nursing homes.

Trudeau, who is in self-isolation after his wife tested positive for the virus, said he was not tested because in view of the shortage, he did not want to use up a kit.

Those who have returned from international trips are being asked to self-isolation for 14 days.

In Quebec, Premier Francois Legault that bars, movie theaters and other public places where people congregate are to be closed.

Restaurants can remain open, but will be instructed to cut the number of diners to 50 percent of capacity, he said.

Shopping malls in various locations in Canada are reducing open hours and some companies like Nike are shuttering all outlets in Canada and the United States beginning Monday through March 17.

Trudeau said the situation is changing hourly and other measures to combat the virus could come as early as Tuesday.