Closing the Borders

Classification: Unclassified

Branch/Agency: Transport Canada

Proposed Response:

On March 18, 2020, the Government of Canada is prohibiting foreign nationals to board flights to Canada departing from any country other than the United States.
On March 21, 2020, we further restricted travel by banning recreational and leisure travel between Canada-U.S.
The measure does not apply in designated exceptional circumstances, including to air crews, travellers arriving in Canada in transit to a third country, Canadian permanent residents, diplomats, or immediate family members of Canadian citizens

Canada is taking a balanced and evidence-based approach to combatting the spread of COVID-19. As we continue our aggressive efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 and to protect Canadians from COVID-19, we must ensure our airlines continue to fly, and that supply chains remain open.
Given the international prevalence of COVID-19 this was deemed the most appropriate and effective time to ban foreign nationals from outside the U.S.