Federal Government to bar entry to Canada to all but Canadians, Permanent residents; Border to USA to remain open

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau introducing 
a range of new measures on travel 

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau delivered the latest update from the Canadian Government on Monday, speaking to the nation from his self-isolation at home to note that new measures have been taken in response to the COVID-19 situation.

The largest measure, that of the closing of the air and sea links to the nation to all but Canadian residents and those with Permanent Residency, with a few caveats for diplomats and others with essential business in the country.

The one element that will surely make for the most controversial aspect of the new rules, that of keeping the border between Canada and the United States open.

With the Prime Minister noting that Canada is in constant contact with the Americans on the topic of the border and the cross border traffic on it, including the commercial and trade links that are of vital importance.

Mr. Trudeau also re-issued advice against non essential out of country travel and the call for all Canadians that are out of the country to return home, though noting that anyone who exhibits any symptoms of COVID-19 will not be able to fly back to Canada.

Of note for those travellers, starting on Wednesday, only four Canadian Airports, in Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary will be designated to accept out of country flights

He also outlined how the Government would be providing for a support program for Canadians that need to get on a plane and offer financial assistance towards that initiative for those that can't board one owing to the new regulations.

The new measures will not impact on commercial trade that comes into and leaves the country.

He also counselled Canadians to continue to follow the advice of the nation's Public Health Officer, who will provide regular updates as they have since the start of the federal response.

The Prime Minister also outlined some of the steps the government is taking to address the financial impact of the situation, with more measures to be announced as to assistance towards the needs of Canadians.

Mr, Trudeau reinforced previous cautions against hoarding, spoke to the need of checking on neighbours and to offer support to those working on the front lines of the national response to the COVID-19 situation.

You can view his address as well as follow up information from a range of Federal Ministers below, it starts at the forty nine minute mark ...





Keeping the border open, or at least open without additional measures of caution, is something that the British Columbia government continues to be concerned about, with Health Minister Adrian Dix making note of those concerns during the provincial health update of Monday morning.

The Canada/US border is  a topic that the provincial government intends to continue to press the Federal government on.

You can review more on the range of Federal and Provincial advisories of the last few days from our archive page here.

For items of local note our archive of those notices is available here.