Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced several measures to address the COVID-19 crisis that has panicked many Canadians and creates massive economic uncertainty.

Today, he told reporters that an agreement with the United States to close the border to tourists and recreational visitors takes effect at midnight tonight. He didn't clarify if that meant midnight eastern time or midnight in all time zones.

More details will be provided later today by Public Safety Minister Bill Blair.

Trudeau also disclosed that there's a "mutual agreement" between Canada and the United States to send back "irregular migrants" trying to cross border.

In addition, flights will return Canadians stuck in other countries, with the first picking up those in Morocco this weekend.

That's not all. Trudeau also said there's a new strategy to make it easier for industry to join the fight against COVID-19.

Industry Minister Navdeep Bains will provide more details later today on how the government will help companies scale up production of hand sanitizers, masks, ventilators, diagnostic and testing products, and disease-tracking technology.

Companies in the auto-parts sector will shift production to medical supplies, according to Trudeau, as the government creates "new innovative procurement streams".

“From the very beginning of this outbreak, our priority has been the safety and health of all Canadians," the prime minister said. "We’re partnering with Canadian industry and business so we can act fast to ensure our health care providers have the products and supplies they need to help Canadians. Together, we are mobilizing all of Canada to fight the spread of the virus.”