US-Canada border closed for non-essential travel; trade will continue

US President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have agreed to close the US-Canada border to all non-essential travel in an attempt to curb the spread of corona virus. There is significant border crossing between the two neighbouring countries on the daily basis, with great tourist attractions on either side.

“We will be, by mutual consent, temporarily closing our northern border with Canada,” Trump tweeted. He said trade would not be affected.

Both countries had already issued sweeping travel bans but had maintained exemptions for each other. Canada relies on the US for approximately 75% of its exports.

Trudeau said., “I want to be clear though that essential travel will still continue,” he said at a press conference. “No matter who you are or what you do, this is a time when you should be focused on your health and that of your neighbours. Neither are you going to lose your job, nor are you going to run out of money for food or medications.

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Supply chains must be preserved so trucking would not be affected, Trudeau said. About $2 billion in goods and services crosses the US-Canada border each day. Canadians who needed to travel for other “urgent reasons” would also not be impacted, Trudeau said.