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U.S., Canada Nearing Curb on Non-Business Travel to Slow Virus

U.S., Canada Nearing Curb on Non-Business Travel to Slow Virus

(Bloomberg) --

The U.S. and Canadian governments are poised to announce as soon as Wednesday that they’ll halt non-essential and non-business travel between the countries, according to two officials familiar with the talks.

The indefinite ban, described by one official as essentially a halt on tourism and vacations, would have wide exemptions for business and commerce, the officials added.

The countries are trying to design a measure that would keep trade going while restricting the broad flow of recreation travelers between the two nations.

U.S., Canada Nearing Curb on Non-Business Travel to Slow Virus

The plan has not been finalized and could still change, one said. An announcement could come as soon as Wednesday, that official said.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau earlier this week urged Canadians abroad to return home, and restricted flights from places other than the U.S., Mexico and the Caribbean.

Trump suggested earlier Tuesday that talks were ongoing with Canada about further measures, after Canada exempted the U.S. from its new measures.

“So we’re working very closely with Canada and -- but they have not closed it,” he said, before being pressed on what he’s considering at the border. “I don’t want to say that, but we are discussing things with Canada.”

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