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Coronavirus: US, Canada and Mexico restrict border traffic Coronavirus: US, Canada and Mexico suspend most border traffic
(about 2 hours later)
The US has suspended all non-essential traffic across its borders with both Mexico and Canada as it battles to control the coronavirus outbreak.The US has suspended all non-essential traffic across its borders with both Mexico and Canada as it battles to control the coronavirus outbreak.
The curbs will go into effect at midnight on Saturday but will not affect trade, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Friday.The curbs will go into effect at midnight on Saturday but will not affect trade, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Friday.
Meanwhile New York State order has told non-essential businesses to close, a day after a similar move by California. Meanwhile New York State ordered non-essential businesses to close, a day after a similar move by California.
Countries around the world are stepping up restrictions to combat the virus.Countries around the world are stepping up restrictions to combat the virus.
The virus has claimed more than 220 lives in the US and infected more than 16,000 people.The virus has claimed more than 220 lives in the US and infected more than 16,000 people.
Globally nearly 250,000 patients have tested positive for the respiratory illness and more than 10,000 have died.Globally nearly 250,000 patients have tested positive for the respiratory illness and more than 10,000 have died.
On Wednesday President Trump announced that the border with Canada would be closed to non-essential traffic "by mutual consent". As both the number of cases and the global death toll continued to soar, many countries and regions took new measures on Friday, including:
During Friday's news briefing he said the Mexican border would be sealed off to "unscreened" travellers. Why did the US restrict border traffic?
Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf said the US was "working with both our Canadian partners as well as our Mexican partners" to limit "non-essential travel". President Donald Trump said on Friday: "Our nation's top health care officials are extremely concerned about the grave public health consequences of mass, uncontrolled cross-border movement."
He added: "Every week, our border agents encounter thousands of unscreened, unvetted and unauthorised entries from dozens of countries."
Earlier this week President Trump announced that the border with Canada would be closed to non-essential traffic "by mutual consent".
During Friday's news conference, Mr Pompeo said the restrictions would take effect on Saturday and also apply to Mexico. They are due be in place for at least 30 days.
US citizens "should arrange immediate return" unless they intend to remain abroad for a time, Mr Pompeo said.
Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf said the US was "working with both our Canadian partners as well as our Mexican partners".
He added: "We want to make sure cargo continues, trade continues, healthcare workers continue to be able to traverse that border. But tourism, some recreational activities and other things need to stop during this crisis."He added: "We want to make sure cargo continues, trade continues, healthcare workers continue to be able to traverse that border. But tourism, some recreational activities and other things need to stop during this crisis."
The restrictions are due be in place for at least 30 days. Also on Friday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said asylum seekers crossing into the country on foot from the US would be turned back as part of the border shutdown.
Mr Pompeo said US citizens "should arrange immediate return" unless they intend to remain abroad for a time. "If you choose to travel, it may well be fairly disruptive," he said. What about New York and California?
New York State governor Andrew Cuomo ordered all "non-essential workers" to stay at home across the state from Sunday evening.
Public gatherings are also restricted across the state. The measures come as confirmed coronavirus cases in New York reached 7,000 - the highest in the US.
"These provisions will be enforced," Mr Cuomo told reporters. "These are not helpful hints."
The announcement comes after California Governor Gavin Newsom issued a similar order.
He estimated more than half of the 40 million people in his state would contract Covid-19 in just the next two months.
Nevada announced its own ban on non-essential businesses on Tuesday. President Trump has so far ruled out any nationwide lockdown.