Travel bans don't work.
St. Catharines Liberal MP Chris Bittle is not in favour of closing the Canadian border to travellers, saying while closing the border may make people feel safer, it doesn't work, and may put our resources in the wrong place.
Bittle says people will find a way to get into the country, and Canada is listening to public health officials' advice.
He says Canada is in a good position to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
Bittle is hoping Canadians who have travelled abroad, including trips to the U.S., will self-isolate for 14 days.
St. Catharines is home to Niagara's first case of the virus after a man being cared for at a long-term care home tested positive.
Meantime, the federal government is warning that new border restrictions, flight cancellations and quarantines due to the COVID-19 pandemic mean it's possible that Canadians travelling may not be able to come home.
A global travel advisory urges Canadians to avoid non-essential travel outside of the country until further notice, and to consider ending their trip early if they are already outside Canada.
Meanwhile, the Federal Court is closing its buildings and offices to visitors in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Schools, libraries, jail visits and jury trials are being shut down across the country in an effort to limit the spread of the virus, which has infected more than 160 people in Canada.