加拿大「環球郵報」（The Globe and Mail）引述消息來源報導，加拿大和美國明天將宣布協議，關閉兩國部分邊境，但仍將放行貿易和商業活動。
報導表示，兩國協商已進入最後階段，而封鎖局部邊境、禁止非必要旅遊的做法，是為了遏止2019冠狀病毒疾病（COVID-19）持續蔓延。
報導引述匿名消息人士的話說，局部封鎖後，仍將允許醫療用品、糧食等商品橫跨兩國邊境。
消息人士告訴環球郵報，加拿大和美國均希望繼續維持貿易和商業活動暢通，包括汽車零件的流通。
加拿大16日已禁止永久居民以及美國公民以外的所有外籍人士入境。
截至今天為止，加拿大累計有441起COVID-19確診病例和4死；美國通報6135起確診和112死。
Canada and the United States are finalizing a deal to close their shared border to non-essential travel — an extraordinary measure designed to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Multiple sources with direct knowledge of the talks say the details are still being worked out, and could be announced as early as Wednesday.
Once finalized, the agreement would close the border to tourists and shoppers while still allowing Canadians to return home. The final deal is expected to allow some commercial traffic to continue to keep critical supply chains intact.
CNN first reported the development Tuesday night. Sources have confirmed the accuracy of the report. One source says Ottawa and Washington are working together on the plan, and that it will be reciprocal.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had previously resisted closing the border to Canada’s closest ally and most important trading partner — but he did not rule it out.
‘Sign of friendship’
The planned restrictions underscore the sudden severity of the COVID-19 crisis. Typically, Canadian officials are loath to impose restrictions on the movement of people at the border.
But the intention is to find an agreement that will restrict the free-flow of people across the border, but still allow for the flow of critical goods across the border.
On Monday, when Trudeau announced his government would deny entry to almost all foreigners, he made an exception for Americans, but said that exception would be reviewed.
A source told Radio-Canada this special treatment would have been perceived by the White House “as a sign of friendship” from Canada that would allow for goodwill in the border negotiations.
“It’s a matter of time,” the source told Radio-Canada, adding that there was a strong desire in Ottawa and Washington to move quickly as the COVID-19 pandemic spreads.
Defining essential travel
The agreement would limit cross-border travel to essential activities, for example, the delivery of goods by truck drivers.
A senior Canadian official told CBC News one of the challenges in the discussions is agreeing on what qualifies as essential travel. For example, it’s unclear how strictly the rules would apply to people, on either side of the border, wanting to visit family across the border.