The Canadian and US governments are working on "fine-tuning" the agreement to temporarily close the border, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Thursday.
On Wednesday, Trudeau announced a joint agreement with the United States to temporarily close the border to all non-essential travel in an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus, while ensuring the flow of critical goods and people who cross the border for work.
That agreement will likely come into place later this week, Trudeau said.
"My understanding is that the measures will probably come into place in the night between Friday and Saturday, so in about a day and a half," said Trudeau, speaking from outside his Rideau Hall home in Ottawa, where he is in self-isolation after his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau tested positive for COVID-19.
'Working hard to bring Canadians home'
Trudeau again urged Canadians abroad that it's "time to come home," adding that the federal government is working "very hard to bring (them) home."
The prime minister said he has been in talks with WestJet and Air Canada about how the government and airlines can work together to ensure their are flights available.
"We will continue to respond to the overwhelming demands of Canadians for support," said Trudeau. "We will be there to help them get home, as many people as we possibly can in the coming days and weeks."
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