Virus prompts US and Mexico to restrict border travel

Mexico and the U.S. announced Friday that they would prohibit all "non-essential" travel across their shared border as part of efforts to control the spread of the new coronavirus.

Both countries and Canada also agreed to immediately turn back anyone trying to cross their borders illegally, with U.S. officials saying that the unchecked entry of people from around the world poses a potential health risk because of the rapidly spreading virus.

Trump administration officials and Mexican Foreign Secretary Marcelo Ebrard outlined restrictions similar to those put in place earlier this week along the U.S. and Canadian border.

The ban would apply to people who cross for tourism or recreation and other activities deemed "non-essential."

The ban, which takes effect at 11:59 p.m. Friday, does not include commercial traffic and remains in place as long as needed, officials said.

A trial period of 30 days which can be extended upon a review by both countries has been agreed.

By excluding commercial traffic from the ban, the two governments substantially softened the economic effects.

Also, fewer Americans are heading south because of a statewide stay-at-home order in California and a State Department warning advising Americans not to travel abroad.

Still, the restrictions are a major development along the world's most heavily crossed border.

Mexican shoppers are the lifeblood of smaller U.S. border towns, and it is common for people in both countries to cross frequently to visit family and friends.

Rudy Sebastian, a cell phone repair man living in the United States, rushed down to Ciudad Juarez to pick up his children on vacation, over fears they wouldn't let them cross after the new policy takes effect.

Mexico has reported fewer than 170 cases while the U.S. count has reached almost 11,000.

For most people, the virus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough.

For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.

The vast majority of people recover from the new virus.

According to the World Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover.

The coronavirus has infected more than 271,000 people and killed more than 11,000. Almost 87,000 people have recovered so far, mostly in China.