Canada is reducing service hours at 27 lower-traffic land border crossings on a temporary basis, saying the COVID-19-related measures will begin at 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday.
The Canada Border Services Agency said in a statement that the measures, which affect crossings in B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Quebec, will remain in effect until further notice.
The government announced in mid-March that it was closing the border to most non-citizens — but that initial announcement had several exceptions, including for Americans. Days later, Canada and the U.S. announced a temporary closure to all non-essential traffic in a push to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
CBSA said in a statement released late Tuesday that economic supply chains are still open and the changes shouldn't affect commercial traffic. The border agency also said it is committed to making sure Indigenous people "continue to be able to move within and between their communities, and are able to provide and access essential goods and services."
The announcement from CBSA comes after the government announced stepped-up quarantine rules for incoming travelers. Under the new order, people must present a plan to self-isolate and demonstrate (whether or not they have symptoms) that they won't be in contact with vulnerable people, including "adults aged 65 years or over and people with pre-existing medical conditions."
The stepped-up measures come as case numbers mount and several provinces struggle to deal with outbreaks in long-term care facilities. As of 6 a.m ET Wednesday, Canada had reported 27,063 presumptive and confirmed cases of COVID-19. The provinces and territories that post data about recovered cases list 8,248 cases as resolved or recovered. A tally of COVID-19 deaths maintained by CBC News has recorded 980 deaths in Canada, with another two coronavirus-related deaths abroad.
Health officials have cautioned that people should behave as though COVID-19 is in their community, even if there are no documented cases, particularly since recorded cases don't capture information on people who have not been tested or are still under investigation.
