COVID-19/coronavirus update: March 18, 2020

Canada and the United States have reached an unprecedented deal to close the shared border to non-essential travel, as both countries try to restrict the spread of the novel coronavirus, according to U.S. President Donald Trump.

As reported by CNN on Tuesday night and confirmed by CBC News, Canada and the U.S. were working to finalize a deal last night and into this morning.

Details of the deal have not been release, but sources with direct knowledge of the negotiations told CBC News on Tuesday the mutual agreement would close the border to tourists and shoppers while still allowing Canadians to return home. It was also expected to allow some commercial traffic to continue to keep critical supply chains intact.