Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the closure of the Canada-U.S. border Wednesday morning.
“I just spoke to President Trump again this morning, and we have agreed that both Canada and the United States will temporarily restrict all non-essential travel across the Canada-U.S. border,” Trudeau said.
Travellers will no longer be able to cross the border for recreational or tourism purposes.
“In both our countries we are encouraging people to stay home. We are telling our citizens not to visit their neighbours if they don’t absolutely have to,” Trudeau said.
Essential travel will continue, the prime minister said, noting it was “critical” to maintain supply chains, including trucking.
“Canadians and Americans cross the border every day to do essential work or for other urgent reasons, that will not be impacted,” Trudeau said.
“I am happy that the border is closed for crossings other than essential services and products. It was confusing when B.C. asked for this and the federal government did not until today,” Osoyoos Mayor Sue McKortoff said.
