Coronavirus In Minnesota: Canadian Border To Close To Nonessential Traffic
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- President Donald Trump announced Wednesday morning that the northern border with Canada will be closed due to nonessential traffic as the country hunkers down amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
The president tweeted that the nations agreed to close the nearly 4,000-mile border as the world responds to the pandemic. According to researchers at Johns Hopkins University, Canada has nearly 600 confirmed cases of the virus, while the U.S. has more than 6,500.
In his tweet, Trump said that trade will not be affected, although he did not elaborate as to how. It remains unclear exactly when the border will close.
We will be, by mutual consent, temporarily closing our Northern Border with Canada to non-essential traffic. Trade will not be affected. Details to follow!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 18, 2020
In Minnesota, 60 people have tested positive for COVID-19. Three of them have required hospitalization.
For most people, symptoms are mild, but the disease can be threatening to the elderly and those with underlying health issues.
According to health officials, healthy people who think they might have COVID-19 should self-quarantine for seven days, as test kits are limited. Those at risk who think they have the virus should call their health care provider.
