Canadian PM Justin Trudeau has confirmed the US border will be closed to non-essential travel in the near future and previewed a hefty aid package to individuals and small businesses affected by the coronavirus epidemic.

Canadians “will no longer be able to cross the border for recreation and tourism,” Trudeau announced on Wednesday in a press conference, echoing the words of US President Donald Trump earlier that morning. Trudeau also stressed that “supply chains will not be affected” by the closure and that medicines, food, and other “critical” supplies would continue to flow between the countries.

The PM attempted to reassure Canadians worried about their economic future, promising to supply up to C$27 billion in “direct support to Canadian workers and businesses” on top of C$55 billion in tax deferrals for businesses and families “to stabilize the economy.” Those who owe taxes have until August to pay, he said.Trudeau unveiled a roughly-equivalent biweekly “emergency care benefit” to be doled out over 14 weeks for “workers who have to stay home” – the sick, the quarantined, and their caretakers and family – who don’t qualify for employment insurance. He also announced an “emergency support benefit” for the self-employed forced to shutter their businesses and a three-month temporary wage subsidy to small business owners, equivalent to 10 percent of normal wages, in order to keep employees on payroll and avoid mass layoffs.

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Source: RT