NewsCoronavirus

Actions

Canada bars entry to all travelers who are not citizens or permanent residents

Posted at 4:26 PM, Mar 16, 2020
and last updated 2020-03-16 18:27:10-04

Canada is barring entry to all travelers who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Monday — one of a set of extraordinary new measures being introduced to stop the spread of COVID-19, according to the CBC .

There will be exceptions for air crew, diplomats, immediate family members of citizens and, "at this time," U.S. citizens, Trudeau said.

The prime minister also said no one who is displaying symptoms will be permitted to board a flight to Canada, and that air operators will be required to complete a basic health assessment of every passenger based on guidelines from the Public Health Agency of Canada.

All travellers seeking entry into Canada will have to answer the health screening questions and CBSA officers will be on the lookout for visible signs of illness. They will refer any traveller who they suspect of being ill, regardless of how the traveller answered the health screening question, to public health authorities for further evaluation.

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is stepping up manpower, educational materials and screening measures at airports and all other entry points to Canada to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

Click here to read more at the CBC website .