Exemptions will be made for diplomats, immediate family of citizens and U.S. citizens
Canada has closed its borders to most non-residents and non-citizens in a move to slow the spread of COVID-19.
At a press conference in front of his home, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that exceptions will also be made for diplomats and immediate family of citizens. Airlines will also have the authority to refuse passage to people with symptoms.
Beginning Wednesday, international flights will only be landing in four major airports: Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary.
The restrictions will not apply to trade and business flights, as well as those from the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean and Saint Pierre and Miquelon.
COVID-19, more commonly referred to as the coronavirus, was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11.
The outbreak was first identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. As of March 16, there have been over 300 confirmed cases in Canada, according to the federal government’s public health bulletin. There are 177 cases within Ontario.
Protecting oneself from COVID-19 requires similar measures to flu and cold prevention. This includes good hand hygiene, not touching others and disinfecting surfaces and objects. The Canadian government stresses to “stay home if you’re sick.”
This story is developing and will be updated as more information becomes available.
This is a joint byline.
Ryersonian staff are responsible for the news website edited and produced by final-year undergraduate and graduate journalism students at Ryerson University.
It features all the content from the weekly campus newspaper, The Ryersonian, and distributes news and online multimedia, including video newscasts from RyersonianTV.
Ryersonian.ca also provides videos, images, and other interactive material in partnership with the School of Journalism.
