Coronavirus: US adds UK and Ireland to European travel ban
Written by News on 14/03/2020
The UK and Ireland are to be added to America’s European travel ban over the coronavirus pandemic, Donald Trump has confirmed.
The new restrictions will begin at midnight on Monday, eastern standard time (0400 GMT).
American citizens will still be allowed to return home to the US.
But they will be “funnelled” through selected airports, said Vice President Mike Pence, who is running the administration’s response to COVID-19.
Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf said the travel ban was extended because of the growing outbreak in Britain.
Ten more people have died in the UK after testing positive for coronavirus, as the number of cases exceeded 1,100.
Ireland’s health department announced 39 new cases on Saturday, bringing the total to 129. There has also been one more death, raising the number to two.
There have been 50 deaths in the US, Mr Trump said in a news conference at the White House.
He told reporters he had his temperature taken before entering the room, and it was “totally normal”. Journalists had their temperatures checked too.
The president also revealed he had been tested for COVID-19, but has not yet received the result.
He met a Brazilian delegation last week, at least one of whom has since tested positive.
Dr Anthony Fauci said there were 20,226 coronavirus cases in the US, and the peak of the outbreak had not been reached.
The immunologist added that it was “all systems go” after Mr Trump declared a national emergency on Friday – a move that frees up $50bn (£41bn) in aid.
“This will get worse before it gets better,” Surgeon General Jerome Adams said during the briefing.
Economists say the outbreak could tip the US economy into recession.
Visits to nursing homes are being suspended, Mr Pence said.
Some schools have closed, and sports and entertainment events been postponed.
An 82-year-old woman has become New York’s first coronavirus fatality, authorities there said. She had been in hospital in Manhattan since 3 March.
Apple has said it will close all its shops, except those in Greater China, for the next two weeks to help reduce the number of coronavirus cases.
President Trump said it would be good if other companies followed Apple’s lead.
Sky News will broadcast a special coronavirus programme at 6.30pm tonight, with experts answering your questions #AskSkyNews
(c) Sky News 2020: Coronavirus: US adds UK and Ireland to European travel ban
