COVID-19 is now effecting Michigan’s bordercrossings into Canada.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he is closing his country's borders to anyone not a citizen or a permanent resident or American amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Trudeau announced the move Monday outside his residence, where he is self-isolating after his wife tested positive for the new coronavirus. He also asked Canadians to say home as much as possible amid the pandemic.
Michigan has several borders with Ontario. Detroit-Windsor is the busiest crossing on the U.S. border with Canada.
Acting Windsor Mayor Jo-Ann Gignac says she was not surprised by the decision.
“We are all working in unison to make sure that we keep our residents as safe as possible….on both sides of the border,” says Gignac.
Monday, Ontario Premier Doug Fordurged the Trudeau government to do more to contain the coronavirus, including closing the border to all visitors.
But if that was to happen it would not completely sever the ties that bind Michigan and Ontario.
Rakesh Naidu is the president of the Windsor Essex Chamber of Commerce.
He says he’s working with his counterparts in Michigan to keep traffic flowing across the border.
“Our interest is to insure that trade continues,” says Naidu, “(And) that both sides leverage each other and especially at this time because a lot essential commodities also cross the border.”
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