US, Canada are closing shared border to nonessential travel
Rob Gillies | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years, 8 months AGO
Several lanes at the U.S.-Canada border crossing in Lacolle, Quebec, are closed in this March 18, 2020, file photo. (Ryan Remiorz/Canadian Press via AP)
Signs Hang on the entrance way to Canada via the Rainbow Bridge, Wednesday, March 18, 2020, in Niagara Falls N.Y., President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have agreed to close the U.S Canada border to non-Essential travel in order to slow the spread of the coronavirus, but trade will not be affected. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
A border patrol agent walks along a border wall separating Tijuana, Mexico, from San Diego, Wednesday, March 18, 2020, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
A sign hangs on the entrance gate of the Rainbow Bridge, Wednesday, March 18, 2020, in Niagara Falls N.Y., President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have agreed to close the U.S Canada border to non-Essential travel in order to slow the spread of the coronavirus, but trade will not be affected. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
A vehicle approaches the only open lane at the United States border crossing in Lacolle, Quebec, Wednesday, March 18, 2020. The Canada-U.S. border will be closed to non-essential traffic in both directions "by mutual consent," President Donald Trump confirmed Wednesday, as efforts across the continent to contain the widening COVID-19 pandemic continued to upend daily life in North America. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press via AP)
Minister of Health Patty Hajdu looks on as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks during a news conference in Ottawa, Wednesday March 11, 2020. Canada is announcing $1 billion ($730 million) in funding to help health-care workers cope with the increasing number of new cases of coronavirus and to help Canadian workers who are forced to isolate themselves. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)
Vehicles enter the United States as a minivan drives to Canada in the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel in Detroit, Monday, March 16, 2020. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he is closing his country's borders to anyone not a citizen, an American or a permanent resident amid the coronavirus outbreak. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Vehicles enter the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel to travel to Canada from Detroit in this March 16, 2020, file photo. (Paul Sancya/Associated Press)
Vehicles enter the United States as a bus drives to Canada in the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel in Detroit, Monday, March 16, 2020. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he is closing his country's borders to anyone not a citizen, an American or a permanent resident amid the coronavirus outbreak. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Vehicles move across the Ambassador Bridge between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, as viewed from Detroit, Monday, March 16, 2020. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he is closing his country's borders to anyone not a citizen, an American or a permanent resident amid the coronavirus outbreak. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
A monument marks the geographical border between Canada and the U.S. as a motorist approaches the U.S. port of entry into Blaine, Wash., at a very quiet Douglas-Peace Arch border crossing, amid concerns about the spread of the coronavirus in Surrey, B.C., on Wednesday, March 18, 2020. The Canada-U.S. border will be closed to non-essential traffic in both directions "by mutual consent," the leaders of both countries confirmed Wednesday as efforts across the continent to contain COVID-19 (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
The U.S. port of entry into Blaine, Wash., is seen at a very quiet Douglas-Peace Arch border crossing, amid concerns about the spread of the coronavirus in Surrey, British Columbia., on Wednesday, March 18, 2020. The Canada-U.S. border will be closed to non-essential traffic in both directions "by mutual consent," the leaders of both countries confirmed Wednesday as efforts across the continent to contain COVID-19 (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
A motorist prepares to enter Canada at a very quiet Douglas-Peace Arch border crossing, amid concerns about the spread of the coronavirus in Surrey, British Columbia., on Wednesday, March 18, 2020. The Canada-U.S. border will be closed to non-essential traffic in both directions "by mutual consent," the leaders of both countries confirmed Wednesday as efforts across the continent to contain COVID-19 (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Vehicles cross the Rainbow Bridge. Wednesday, March 18, 2020, in Niagara Falls N.Y., President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have agreed to close the U.S Canada border to non-Essential travel in order to slow the spread of the coronavirus, but trade will not be affected. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Trucks cross the Peace Bridge between the United States and Canada, Wednesday, March 18, 2020, in Buffalo N.Y., The Canada-U.S. border will be closed to non-essential traffic in both directions "by mutual consent," President Donald Trump confirmed Wednesday, as efforts across the continent to contain the widening COVID-19 pandemic continued to upend daily life in North America. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Vehicles cross the Peace Bridge into Canada Wednesday, March 18, 2020, in Buffalo N.Y., The Canada-U.S. border will be closed to non-essential traffic in both directions "by mutual consent," President Donald Trump confirmed Wednesday, as efforts across the continent to contain the widening COVID-19 pandemic continued to upend daily life in North America. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Travelers cross the Rainbow Bridge into Canada. Wednesday, March 18, 2020, in Niagara Falls N.Y., President Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have agreed to close the U.S Canada border to non-essential travel in order to slow the spread of the coronavirus, but trade will not be affected. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
A vehicle is stopped at the Rainbow Bridge Border crossing in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. Wednesday, March 18, 2020, in this view from Niagara Falls N.Y. The Canada-U.S. border will be closed to non-essential traffic in both directions "by mutual consent," President Donald Trump confirmed Wednesday, as efforts across the continent to contain the widening COVID-19 pandemic continued to upend daily life in North America. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Trucks cross the Peace Bridge Wednesday, March 18, 2020, in Buffalo N.Y., President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have agreed to close the U.S Canada border to non-Essential travel in order to slow the spread of the coronavirus, but trade will not be affected. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
The Rainbow Bridge spans the Niagara River and connects Niagara Falls, N.Y., left, to Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. Wednesday, March 18, 2020 as seen from the New York side of the border. The Canada-U.S. border will be closed to non-essential traffic in both directions "by mutual consent," President Donald Trump confirmed Wednesday, as efforts across the continent to contain the widening COVID-19 pandemic continued to upend daily life in North America. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
A truck from Canada crosses the Peace Bridge, Wednesday, March 18, 2020, in Buffalo N.Y., The Canada-U.S. border will be closed to non-essential traffic in both directions "by mutual consent," President Donald Trump confirmed Wednesday, as efforts across the continent to contain the widening COVID-19 pandemic continued to upend daily life in North America. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
A truck crosses the Peace Bridge into Canada, Wednesday, March 18, 2020, in Buffalo N.Y., The Canada-U.S. border will be closed to non-essential traffic in both directions "by mutual consent," President Donald Trump confirmed Wednesday, as efforts across the continent to contain the widening COVID-19 pandemic continued to upend daily life in North America. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Vehicles wait in line to cross into Canada at the Peace Bridge Plaza, Wednesday, March 18, 2020, in Buffalo N.Y. The Canada-U.S. border will be closed to non-essential traffic in both directions "by mutual consent," President Donald Trump confirmed Wednesday, as efforts across the continent to contain the widening COVID-19 pandemic continued to upend daily life in North America. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
A man carries toilet paper after crossing the border from Tijuana, Mexico, to San Diego, Wednesday, March 18, 2020, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
A border patrol agent rides a vehicle along a border wall separating Tijuana, Mexico, from San Diego, Wednesday, March 18, 2020, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
A border patrol agent walks along a border wall separating Tijuana, Mexico, from San Diego, Wednesday, March 18, 2020, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
The United States and Canada agreed Wednesday to temporarily close their shared border to nonessential travel to confront the coronavirus pandemic, bringing a halt to tourism and family visits but leaving the flow of trade intact.
The announcement by President Donald Trump came as his administration prepared to immediately return to Mexico all people caught illegally crossing the southern U.S. border. Trump said he would announce that step “very soon,” perhaps as early as Wednesday.
These combined actions would further isolate the United States, affecting two borders that have been treated in starkly different ways by the Trump administration.
The flow of travelers on the northern border, the world’s longest between two nations, has been relatively open. By comparison, Trump has made clamping down on immigration, both legal and illegal, across the southern border the cornerstone of his presidency.
The Canadian restrictions, unlike those under consideration with Mexico, were agreed upon mutually by both governments.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said travelers will no longer be able permitted to cross the border for recreation or tourism, but that essential travel will continue.
“It is critical that we preserve supply chains between both countries,” Trudeau said. "These supply chains ensure that food, fuel and life saving medicines reach people on both sides of the border.”
Trudeau made his comments in front of his residence where he is self-isolating after his wife tested positive for the virus.
Trump tweeted that the restrictions on the Canadian border will not affect trade between allies eager to maintain their vital economic relationship. Canada relies on the U.S. for 75% of its exports and about 18% of American exports go to Canada.
Truck drivers and Canadian snowbirds, who live in the U.S. for part of the year and are returning to Canada, are among those exempted. Completely closing the border would cause severe damage to two economies so closely integrated. Much of Canada’s food supply comes from or via the U.S., and 98% of its oil exports go to the U.S.
The United States has reported about 6,500 coronavirus cases and at least 119 deaths, compared with about 600 cases and eight deaths in Canada. Mexico has reported 93 cases and no deaths, though only about 1,000 people have been tested. The administration sees Mexico's efforts to check the spread of the virus as among the weakest in the Americas and is framing the anticipated border move as a way to pressure Mexico to respond more aggressively to the outbreak.
For most people, the coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. The vast majority of people recover from the new virus. According to the World Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks while those with more severe illness may take three weeks to six weeks to recover.
Mexico responded cautiously to news reports that the U.S. may turn back people who illegally cross into the U.S. The Mexican foreign minister said Washington had not shared a “formal proposal” and, if it did, then Mexico would respond “in defense of its interests, considering, among other things, public health and human rights.”
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, when asked about the U.S. plan at his daily news conference, said he would be briefed by Foreign Relations Secretary Marcelo Ebrard, who spoke on Tuesday with Trump's secretary of state, Mike Pompeo.
“We have a very good relationship — I emphasize this — with the U.S. government, a very good relationship with the U.S. ambassador to Mexico,” Lopez Obrador said.
The U.S. proposal would apply to anyone who crossed the U.S.-Mexico border between ports of entry, including those who claim asylum. It would amount to one of his most aggressive attempts by Trump to curtail illegal immigration.
The Border Patrol averaged about 1,000 arrests a day in February. During the U.S. budget year that ended in September, only 20% of those arrested were from Mexico; many of the rest came from Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Cuba and Brazil.
For his border move, Trump would rely on a law says the president can deny entry to people or reject cargo if the U.S. surgeon general determines there is a "serious danger" of bringing a communicable disease to the United States. Trump said he was not planning a full shutdown of the U.S. border with Mexico but that the powers he will invoke give him “great latitude.”
Homeland Security Department spokeswoman Heather Swift said “all options are on the table.”
The situation at Canada's border came into focus Monday when Trudeau said that he would close the country's borders to anyone who was not a Canadian citizen, an American or a permanent resident. Even then, those people are required to self-isolate for 14 days on arrival.
Many in Canada criticized the decision to give Americans an exemption, including British Columbia Health Minister Adrian Dix, citing the surge in cases in neighboring Washington state.
Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said then that the border is vital to the daily life to people on both sides.
"Nearly 200,000 people cross that border every day, and that border and that traffic that goes across that border is literally a lifeline for both the Canadians and the Americans on both sides of that border,'' Freeland said.
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Gillies reported from Toronto and Spagat from San Diego. Associated Press writers Zeke Miller in Washington and Peter Orsi in Mexico City contributed to this report.
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The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
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