Trudeau Closes Canadian Borders To Foreign Travellers Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

Speaking to reporters from Rideau Cottage in Ottawa, Trudeau said Canada will be closing it’s borders to people who are not Canadian citizens, or permanent residents of Canada.

Trudeau said exceptions will be made for air crews, diplomats, immediate family members and U.S. citizens.

He said second, airlines will ban anyone who is showing symptoms of the virus from getting on a plane.

“That means anyone who has symptoms will not be able enter Canada,” he said.

Third, Trudeau said only four airports will receive international flights.

According to Trudeau, Pearson International Airport, Vancouver International Airport, Montreal Trudeau Airport and Calgary International Airport will receive international flights.

He said domestic flights and flights from the U.S., Mexico and the Caribbean will not be affected, and that the measures do not apply to trade or businesses.

Trudeau reiterated the government’s recommendation that Canadians abroad return home via commercial means while they remain available.

“If you are abroad it’s time to come back home,” he said. “If you have just arrived, you must self-isolate for 14 days.”

As of 9 a.m. Monday, there were 324 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Canada and 17 probable cases.

The Public Health Agency of Canada reported that 13 per cent of those cases required hospitalization.

Almost three-quarters of the cases were people who travelled outside of Canada recently, but public health officials also stressed there is community transmission happening now more frequently.