Trump says U.S. closing border with Canada. ‘Temporary’ for coronavirus response
President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced a “temporary” closure of the northern U.S. border with Canada in response to the coronavirus pandemic and said he hoped it would not last longer than a month.
“I would say 30 days, and hopefully at the end of 30 days, we’ll be in great shape,” he said at a White House press briefing.
The move comes after he imposed a 30-day ban on travel from Europe except for U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents and their families.
Trump said in a tweet on Wednesday that the U.S. and Canada had arrived at a “mutual agreement” to close their shared border to most travelers.
“We will be, by mutual consent, temporarily closing our Northern Border with Canada to non-essential traffic. Trade will not be affected. Details to follow!” he wrote..
Trump said the travel ban would not apply to trade or activities he deemed essential such as medical and military assistance. Non-essential travel includes “leisurely” activities like eating at restaurants, he said.
“Which a lot of people do. They come both ways,” Trump said. “That kind of thing we have ended on a temporary basis.”
The White House press office did not provide additional information on the emergency action.
Kellyanne Conway, counselor to the president, told reporters that it was a “mutual agreement” between the United States and Canada and dismissed characterizations of the move as “punishment.”
She said the Department of Homeland Security would be involved in the implementation of the temporary restrictions.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Homeland Security said the agency would later have an announcement with Canada, and told McClatchy that preserving economic traffic is the top priority.
Trump had resisted taking the action, even after the number of coronavirus cases climbed in states that share a border with Canada like Washington.
Vice President Mike Pence told reporters that the closure came as the result of a conversation that morning between Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
The Canadian prime minister is currently in self-quarantine. His wife, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, tested positive for the coronavirus.
This story was originally published March 18, 2020 at 12:01 PM.
