Prince Harry returned to Canada in the nick of time as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Canada will close its borders to non-citizens and non-residents in the latest effort to combat the killer coronvirus.
Trudeau made the announcement Monday in an effort to ‘slow the spread of this virus’.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex recently returned to Canada, where they’ve been living on Vancouver Island with their son Archie, after wrapping up their final duties as senior members of the Royal Family in the UK last week.
‘It is time to take every precaution to keep people safe,’ Trudeau said in a press conference at Rideau Cottage in Ottawa.
As of Monday there are 324 cases of the fast-spreading virus but no reported deaths in Canada so far.
Canada announced it will close its borders to non-citizens and non-residents in the country in the latest effort to combat the killer coronavirus
Made it just in time! Prince Harry and wife Meghan Markle recently returned to Canada after wrapping up their Royal duties in the UK. The couple pictured landing in Victoria, Canada, in February 2020
Canada’s ban does not apply to US citizens ‘for the moment’.
When pressed on why he kept the door open to the US, Trudeau quipped: ‘Everything is on the table to protect Canadians.’
There are some exceptions to the border closure and it does not apply to the shipment of goods in the country.
Nor does not apply to flight crews, diplomats, and immediate family members of citizens.
However, people who exhibit signs of coronavirus will be banned from getting on a plane.
‘That means anyone who has symptoms will not be able to enter Canada,’ he said.
He said the government will create a support program to help asymptomatic Canadians return home.
‘Canadian travellers will be able to get financial assistance to help them with the costs of returning home or temporarily covering their basic needs while they wait to come back to Canada,’ the Prime Minister announced.
‘I know that these measures are far-reaching. They are exceptional circumstances calling for exceptional measures,’ Trudeau said in a press conference at Rideau Cottage in Ottawa
Trudeau warned Canadians abroad that ‘it’s time to come home’.
All international flights will be funneled to four Canadian airports – Pearson International Airport in Toronto, Vancouver International Airport, Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport and Calgary International Airport.
About three quarters of the COVID-19 cases in Canada were from people who traveled outside of the country recently. Now there is community transmission spreading the disease among locals.
Trudeau addressed how he’s been grappling with self-isolation, which started on Thursday, after his wife Sophie Trudeau tested positive for the virus last week.
‘I know that these measures are far-reaching. They are exceptional circumstances calling for exceptional measures,’ he said.
‘Finally, all Canadians, as much as possible, should stay home. By staying home, you can not only protect your health and that of those around you but ensure that our health-care professionals and our health-care systems can focus on those who need their help,’ he urged.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle live on Vancouver Island with their son Archie. Pictured above in London on March 9 where they wrapped up their last official Royal Duties before they break away from the Royal Family
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle live on Vancouver Island with their son Archie. Markle used to live in Canada while filming for the show Suits.
The former actress appears to be relishing her new life in Canada and has been spotted enjoying two-hour long walks with son Archie through the woods every day.
‘Meghan takes a walk with Archie every single day through the woods,’ a source told Us Weekly.
‘She either pushes him in a stroller through the paved trails through the public woods by their home or straps him on and walks the more rustic routes. The walks usually last around an hour or two, but she takes them daily.’
In January Meghan was photographed taking 10-month-old Archie and her two dogs through the Horth Hill Regional Park near the opulent £10million [$14million] Vancouver Island mansion they have used since American Thanksgiving last year.
The source claimed the duchess is ‘very kind and pleasant’ to any locals she meets while hiking and stops to chat about parenting and the weather.
Last week Meghan and Harry attended the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey – their final official engagement as senior members of the Royal Family.