© 2024 MICHIGAN PUBLIC
91.7 Ann Arbor/Detroit 104.1 Grand Rapids 91.3 Port Huron 89.7 Lansing 91.1 Flint
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Trudeau closing Canadian borders to non-citizens, Americans exempt for now

steve carmody
/
Michigan Radio

COVID-19 is now effecting Michigan’s border crossings into Canada.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he is closing his country's borders to anyone not a citizen or a permanent resident or American amid the coronavirus pandemic.  

Trudeau announced the move Monday outside his residence, where he is self-isolating after his wife tested positive for the new coronavirus. He also asked Canadians to say home as much as possible amid the pandemic.

Michigan has several borders with Ontario.  Detroit-Windsor is the busiest crossing on the U.S. border with Canada.

Acting Windsor Mayor Jo-Ann Gignac says she was not surprised by the decision. 

“We are all working in unison to make sure that we keep our residents as safe as possible….on both sides of the border,” says Gignac. 

Monday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford urged the Trudeau government to do more to contain the coronavirus, including closing the border to all visitors.

But if that was to happen it would not completely sever the ties that bind Michigan and Ontario.  

Rakesh Naidu is the president of the Windsor Essex Chamber of Commerce.  

He says he’s working with his counterparts in Michigan to keep traffic flowing across the border. 

“Our interest is to insure that trade continues,” says Naidu, “(And) that both sides leverage each other and especially at this time because a lot essential commodities also cross the border.”

Want to support reporting like this? Consider making a gift to Michigan Radio today.

Steve Carmody has been a reporter for Michigan Public since 2005. Steve previously worked at public radio and television stations in Florida, Oklahoma and Kentucky, and also has extensive experience in commercial broadcasting.
The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting.