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US-Canada border to close to "non-essential travel" to slow spread of COVID-19

Lester Graham
/
Michigan Radio

The timeline is still not certain, but the U.S. and Canada soon will be closing the border to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Non-essential travel will be stopped, but who is “essential” is not yet clear.

The Canada Border Services Agency says exemptions on travel across the border are being given to healthy workers in the trade and transportation sector such as truck drivers and crews on planes and trains. Healthy people who have to cross the border to go to work, including healthcare providers and critical infrastructure workers will be exempt.

In an email, a spokesperson for the Canada Border Services Agency wrote, “The situation is evolving rapidly and details are being finalized as quickly as possible.”

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency only responded it would get back with more information soon.

In a Tweet, President Trump indicated trade would not be stopped. Beyond that, few details have emerged

The Michigan Congressional delegation sent a letter to the Trump administration stressing how critical it was to let healthcare professionals and those who support manufacturing cross the border.

The Detroit-Windsor Tunnel confirmed it is to close for nonessential travel, but did not have details on when it would close.

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Lester Graham reports for The Environment Report. He has reported on public policy, politics, and issues regarding race and gender inequity. He was previously with The Environment Report at Michigan Public from 1998-2010.
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