This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-51980681
The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Coronavirus: US, Canada and Mexico suspend most 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 take effect at midnight on Saturday but will not affect trade, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said. | |
| Meanwhile, Illinois joined California in ordering residents to stay at home, while New York state ordered non-essential businesses to close. | |
| 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. |
| As both the number of cases and the global death toll continued to soar, many countries and regions took new measures on Friday, including: | As both the number of cases and the global death toll continued to soar, many countries and regions took new measures on Friday, including: |
| Why did the US restrict border traffic? | Why did the US restrict border traffic? |
| 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." | 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." | 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". | 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. | 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. | 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". | 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." |
| 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. | 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. |
| What about New York, California and Illinois? | |
| New York State governor Andrew Cuomo ordered all "non-essential workers" to stay at home across the state from Sunday evening. | 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. | 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." | "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, telling all residents to stay at home. | |
| He estimated more than half of the 40 million people in his state would contract Covid-19 in just the next two months. | He estimated more than half of the 40 million people in his state would contract Covid-19 in just the next two months. |
| Illinois has also ordered all residents indoors with exceptions to shop for food and medicine or take exercise. | |
| Nevada announced its own ban on non-essential businesses on Tuesday. President Trump has so far ruled out any nationwide lockdown. | Nevada announced its own ban on non-essential businesses on Tuesday. President Trump has so far ruled out any nationwide lockdown. |