Coronavirus: Minnesota border with Canada to be closed
The northern Minnesota border with Canada will be closed to "non-essential traffic" in response to the coronavirus crisis, in an announcement made by President Donald Trump on Wednesday.
Canadian President Justin Trudeau had already announced the nation would be closing borders to all but American residents earlier this week, but Trump said that "by mutual consent" the closure will now impact Americans too.
"Trade will not be affected," Trump added, saying more details will follow.
It's not clear yet when the border restrictions will start, but CNBC reports it would allow some commercial traffic to flow, but would stop the movement of tourists and shoppers.
Minnesota has a 547-mile border with Canada, with eight border crossings by road, as well as a number of rail crossing points.
These include busy border exchanges at International Falls/Fort Frances and Grand Portage/Pigeon River.
It's not clear yet what happens to the dozens of people living on the Angle Inlet, who are technically in Minnesota but cut off by road from the rest of the state, having to cross the Canadian border and then back into Minnesota.
