COVID-19: Canadian government announces new border restrictions – March 16, 2020

Speaking from his home in Ottawa, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces new measures being implemented by the federal government in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus). Among those measures, Canada will deny entry to non-citizens and non-permanent residents, with an exception for U.S. citizens, air crews, diplomats, and immediate family members of Canadians. Canada will also limit incoming international flights to four major airports (Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver) and prohibit individuals who are showing symptoms from boarding aircraft destined for Canada. The prime minister himself is in a 14-day period of self-isolation following confirmation that his wife, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, has tested positive for COVID-19.

Later, at a news conference in Ottawa, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, Health Minister Patty Hajdu, Public Safety Minister Bill Blair, Transport Minister Marc Garneau, and Treasury Board President Jean-Yves Duclos comment on the new measures.