Justin Trudeau hasn’t ruled out restricting domestic travel within Canada
Canada and the United States have agreed to restrict non-essential travel across the border as both countries try to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.
U.S. President Donald Trump first tweeted the news Wednesday morning. Soon afterward, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau held a news conference to announce that travelers will no longer be able to cross the border for recreational and tourism purposes.
“These measures will last in place as long as we feel they need to last,” he told reporters from outside his home at Rideau Cottage, on the grounds of Rideau Hall in Ottawa, where he’s in self-isolation.
“In both our countries, we’re encouraging people to stay home. We’re telling our citizens not to visit their neighbors if they don’t absolutely have to.”
The Prime Minister’s Office said it is still negotiating the start date and will be able to announce it “soon.”
Trudeau said both sides agreed to preserve the supply chains which ensure that food, fuel, and life-saving medicines reach people on both sides of the border.
“Supply chains, including trucking, will not be affected by this new measure,” he said. “Canadians and Americans cross the border every day to do essential work, or for other urgent reasons — that will not be impacted.”
Canadian citizens will be able to get home, although the government says travelers presenting symptoms won’t be able to board flights.
Restricting travel in Canada on the table: Trudeau
When asked if he’s considering limiting travel within Canada, Trudeau said his government is “looking at all options.”
“We will continue to look at measures as they become necessary,” he said, adding that invoking the Emergencies Act would be a “significant step.”
“Not one that we feel we need today, but not one we are closing the door to in the future if necessary.”
The Emergencies Act allows the federal government to declare a public welfare emergency and empowers it to prohibit travel, requisition and use property, order qualified people to provide essential services and regulate the distribution of goods.
Ottawa has to consult with the provinces before triggering it and seek parliamentary approval within seven sitting days.
The Emergencies Act, which came into effect in 1988, has never been invoked by the federal government. It replaced the War Measures Act, last used by Trudeau’s father during the 1970 FLQ crisis.
On Monday, when Trudeau announced his government would deny entry to almost all foreigners, he made an exception for Americans — but added that exception would be reviewed.
The government already has said Canadians crossing at a land border will be screened for symptoms. Sick individuals will be referred to public health authorities on the Canadian side of the border, but they will be allowed into the country.
Major crossings will have quarantine officers on-site to intercept the sick and supply masks.
“We know there are very many Canadians who are presently in the United States and are very quickly making their way home, and I want to assure them all, Canadians will always be allowed to return to Canada,” Public Safety Minister Bill Blair said Tuesday of people crossing by land.
In 2019, 25 million travellers entered Canada from the U.S., according to Statistics Canada, while Canadian residents returned from 43.8 million trips to the United States that year.
Source: cbc.ca
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