Canada, U.S. closing border to non-essential traffic

Canada and the United States have agreed to restrict non-essential travel across the border, as both countries try to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.

"We will be, by mutual consent, temporarily closing our Northern Border with Canada to non-essential traffic. Trade will not be affected," tweeted U.S. President Donald Trump Wednesday morning. 

Soon afterwards, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau held a news conference where he said travellers will no longer be able to cross the border for recreational and tourism purposes. 

As reported by CNN on Tuesday night and confirmed by CBC News, Canada and the U.S. were working to finalize a deal last night and into this morning.

Trudeau had previously resisted closing the border to Canada's closest ally and most important trading partner — but he did not rule it out.

Sources with direct knowledge of the deal said there is an understanding that these measures will be hurtful to both countries, but there's hope it will be short term.

The main conversations happened between Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland and the U.S. Department of State, as well as the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Homeland Security.

This is from the 18 March 2020 edition of CBC News.