Doug Ford 'adamant' he wants to keep Ontario-US border closed amid pandemic

On Friday while speaking to reporters at Queen's Park in Toronto, Premier Doug Ford said he's adamant that the Ontario-US border remain closed for the duration of the lockdown measures, according to CTV News. He has also asked that Canadians residing in other provinces stay where they are as well.

The premier said that he'd spoken with other Canadian premiers, as well as Prime Minister Trudeau on the subject of the Canada-US border and has vowed to keep it closed.

"I was adamant on the call yesterday with the premiers and the prime minister, I do not want those borders open," said Ford. "I know Quebec felt the same way and B.C. felt the exact same way. I can't speak for the other provinces but right now, I don't want the borders open."

When the day comes that the borders will be reopened, Canada must increase its virus screening at both land borders and airports "tenfold," said Ford. He then pleaded with Canadians living outside of Ontario not to travel to Ontario.

"We love our Quebec neighbours but just wait until this is over,” said Ford. “It’s to their benefit, our benefit and the country’s benefit."

U.S. President Trump suggested loosening border restrictions back in April and Ford was quick to stop the idea dead in its tracks, saying, "The answer is absolutely not,” said Ford at the time. “I don't want them in Ontario."

Ontario shares a border with Minnesota, Michigan and New York, which are among the hardest hit regions in the United States. "I want to put the people of Ontario first."

The Canada-US border has been shut down since March 21, with certain exemptions being made to keep an open flow for trade and commerce, as well as PPE and the allowance of front-line healthcare workers who need to cross the border for work.