Canada has taken a drastic measure to curb the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that it will shut its border to most of non-Canadian citizens beginning March 18.
All nationalities will be barred from entering the North American country except Canadian citizens, immediate family members of Canadian citizens, diplomats, air crews, legal permanent residents, and US nationals.
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Trudeau added that all individuals who manifest symptoms of COVID-19 will not be able to enter Canada.
“If you’re abroad, it’s time for you to come home. If you’ve just arrived, you must self-isolate for 14 days, and finally, all Canadians, as much as possible, should stay home,” Trudeau said.
“Everything is on the table to protect Canadians,” he pointed out.
Some international flights will also be rerouted to Montreal, Toronto, Calgary or Vancouver for strict screening.
Trudeau added that more preventive measures will be imposed tomorrow.
Canada recorded 375 cases of COVID-19 as of March 16.
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