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| Coronavirus: US, Canada and Mexico suspend most border traffic | Coronavirus: US, Canada and Mexico suspend most border traffic |
| (about 3 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. | 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. | Meanwhile, Illinois joined California in ordering residents to stay at home, while New York state ordered non-essential businesses to close. |
| About one in five Americans will soon be under a "stay at home" order. | |
| The virus has claimed nearly 230 lives in the US and infected more than 18,500 people. | |
| Globally more than 270,000 patients have tested positive for the respiratory illness and more than 11,000 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: "In normal times, these massive flows [of immigrants] place a vast burden on our healthcare system, but during a global pandemic, they threaten to create a perfect storm that would spread the infection to our border agents, migrants and to the public at large." | |
| Hours after he spoke, the White House announced that a staff member in Vice-President Mike Pence's office had tested positive for coronavirus, though a spokeswoman said the unnamed patient did not come into close contact with Mr Pence or Mr Trump. | |
| 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 some 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. |
| Life goes on | |
| By Sophie Long, BBC News, Los Angeles | |
| These may be the most restrictive measures to be put in place in modern Californian history, but in Los Angeles life goes on and the streets are far from empty. | |
| In a city famous for its gridlocked rush-hour traffic, cars are moving more freely past the palm trees on Sunset Boulevard. In Hollywood cyclists still overtake joggers and families still go out for a stroll. But these could all be seen as essential excursions. | |
| People have been told that those who work in critical sectors should still go to work. Busses are still running and grocery stores, pharmacies and banks are all still open. | |
| But many people are staying at home and friends and neighbours are keeping their distance. Restaurants and bars closed their doors days ago, but now all gatherings outside the home have been banned and there is no indication when the restrictions will be lifted. | |
| What measures are the states taking? | What measures are the states taking? |
| New York Governor Andrew Cuomo ordered all "non-essential workers" to stay at home 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." |
| New York and its neighbouring states of New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania also issued a joint order on Friday for the closure of all "personal care" businesses, such as hair and nail salons and piercing and tattoo parlours. | New York and its neighbouring states of New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania also issued a joint order on Friday for the closure of all "personal care" businesses, such as hair and nail salons and piercing and tattoo parlours. |
| All outdoor team sports such as basketball games are also banned under the measures, which take effect on Sunday night. | All outdoor team sports such as basketball games are also banned under the measures, which take effect on Sunday night. |
| The announcement comes after California Governor Gavin Newsom issued a similar order, telling all residents to stay at home. | 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. | 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. |