The Canada-U.S. border will likely be closed to all non-essential travel in both directions as of Friday night.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the expected timing of the closure Thursday morning after leaders of the two countries revealed details of the plan Wednesday.Both countries have been in talks in recent days to negotiate a mutual ban on recreational travel without restricting the flow of two-way trade and commerce.Essential cross-border workers like health care professionals, air crews and others are to be permitted to cross.Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland says it was

A trans-Atlantic cruise ship carrying several COVID-19 cases among its passengers and with dozens of Canadians aboard has docked in the French Mediterranean port city of Marseille.Global Affairs Canada says at least 77 Canadians are on the Costa Luminosa.The ship has more than 1,400 passengers.French authorities have allowed the ship to stay for up to four days under strict conditions.It is not known whether passengers will be allowed off, given the current stringent restrictions imposed in France amid the coronavirus pandemic.Global Affairs Canada has said officials are standing ready to pro

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday chaired a high-level meeting to review the ongoing efforts to contain COVID-19 in India. Prime Minister Modi will address the nation at 8 p.m. on Thursday and is expected to talk about issues relating to COVID-19 and the efforts to combat the pandemic that has claimed more than 7,500 lives across the world. "Ways to further strengthen India's preparedness (over coronavirus) were discussed. This includes further enhancing testing facilities," an official statement after the review meeting said. In the meeting, the Prime Minister emphasised on actively

The Latest on the coronavirus pandemic, which has infected more than 207,000 people and killed more than 8,200. The COVID-19 illness causes mild or moderate symptoms in most people, but severe symptoms are more likely in the elderly or those with existing health problems. More than 82,000 people have recovered so far, mostly in China.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has announced 45 new cases of COVID-19 in BC bringing the total to 231. Dr. Bonnie Henry says most are at home in self isolation and there have been no additional deaths. But Henry says it's extremely important that people and businesses follow social distancing rules aimed at slowing the spread of the virus. She says legal orders are a measure of last resort but people are expected to follow voluntary recommendations to stay a safe distance away from each other.

Canada's top public health doctor says to expect the virus that causes COVID-19 to stick around for a long time. Dr. Theresa Tam says we need to be prepared for more than one wave of the novel coronavirus. She says we don't know whether COVID-19 will fade and resurge as seasons pass. But Tam says we can expect to learn a great deal from the current fight and get better and better prepared.

BC and Saskatchewan are the latest provinces to declare states of emergency in the face of the global novel coronavirus pandemic. BC Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth says it will better protect the public. He says the legislature will resume on Monday with a reduced number of members to pass legislation to ensure continuity of government and response to COVID-19. In Saskatchewan, fitness centres, casinos and bingo halls have been ordered to close until further notice.

The latest numbers of confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases in Canada as of 6:40 p.m. on March 18, 2020. There are 705 confirmed and presumptive cases in Canada. British Columbia: 231 confirmed (including 7 deaths, 5 resolved) Ontario: 212 confirmed (including 1 death, 5 resolved) Alberta: 97 confirmed Quebec: 94 confirmed (including 1 death) Saskatchewan: 2 confirmed, 14 presumptive Manitoba: 8 confirmed, 7 presumptive Nova Scotia: 3 confirmed, 9 presumptive New Brunswick: 2 confirmed, 9 presumptive Canadians quarantined at CFB Trenton: 8 confirmed Newfoundland and Labrador: No confirmed

In Vancouver, Mayor Kennedy Stewart is convening a special virtual council meeting on Thursday aimed at getting support for the declaration of a local state of emergency during the COVID-19 pandemic. Stewart says the measure would allow the city to take action against people who are hoarding. It would also let the city act on businesses that have remained open when they should be closed to prevent the spread of the disease.