Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Monday that Canada will close its borders to most foreign travelers, except Americans, to slow the spread of the Corona epidemic.
"All Canadians should stay in their homes as much as possible," he told a news conference from his home where he and his family were quarantined after his wife, Sophie, contracted the Covid-19 virus.
"We will prevent the entry of non-Canadian or permanent residents into Canada," he said.
Airlines will be instructed not to allow any travelers with influenza-like symptoms to board aircraft, and all international flights to Canada will be directed to four Canadian airports in Montreal, Toronto, Kagali and Vancouver, where health screening procedures will be strengthened.
These measures will take effect at midday on March 18, according to Transport Minister Mark Garneau.
Trudeau said US citizens would be exempt from the ban because of the "high level of integration between economists and coordination between the two countries."
