Coronavirus: US border with Mexico to close at midnight

The President of the United States, Donald Trump , announced on Friday, 20, that the country's border with Mexico will be closed from midnight on Friday, 20, for all non-essential traffic. The measures taken as a means of containing the spread of the Covid-19 epidemic, a disease caused by the new coronavirus , are in addition to those already adopted on the border with Canada.

During a press release at the White House, Trump accused immigrants who irregularly cross the Mexico-United States border from being vectors of disease transmission. "During a pandemic, they (undocumented immigrants) threaten to create a storm that can transmit the infection to our border agents, other immigrants and American citizens," said the president.

The Mexican government had asked the United States this week not to completely close the border and at least to keep the transit of workers and trade open.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reiterated that his department is warning Americans outside the country to provide "immediate return" unless they intend to stay abroad for a long period. But the American government has so far not set out to seek them out, despite the fact that several countries have already closed their borders and suspended flights. "It can be quite disturbing if you choose to travel," said

Trump praised the Democratic governors of the states of California, Gavin Newsom, and New York, Andrew Cuomo, for their actions in fighting the coronavirus. "I applaud them," he said. Newsom decreed total quarantine in the state, as did Cuomo. The president, however, warned that essential workers should continue to go to work.