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Coronavirus: Trump suspends travel from Europe to US Coronavirus: Trump suspends travel from Europe to US
(about 1 hour later)
US President Donald Trump has announced sweeping new travel restrictions on Europe in a bid to combat the spread of the coronavirus.US President Donald Trump has announced sweeping new travel restrictions on Europe in a bid to combat the spread of the coronavirus.
But he said the "strong but necessary" restrictions would not apply to the UK, which has 460 cases of the virus.But he said the "strong but necessary" restrictions would not apply to the UK, which has 460 cases of the virus.
A presidential proclamation issued later specified that only travellers from the 26 countries in the Schengen border-free travel area were barred.A presidential proclamation issued later specified that only travellers from the 26 countries in the Schengen border-free travel area were barred.
This leaves a number of other European countries as well as the UK unaffected. This leaves a number of other European countries including Ireland unaffected.
"To keep new cases from entering our shores, we will be suspending all travel from Europe," Mr Trump said from the Oval Office on Wednesday evening."To keep new cases from entering our shores, we will be suspending all travel from Europe," Mr Trump said from the Oval Office on Wednesday evening.
"The new rules will go into effect Friday at midnight," he added. The travel order does not apply to US citizens."The new rules will go into effect Friday at midnight," he added. The travel order does not apply to US citizens.
There are 1,135 confirmed cases of the virus across the US, with 38 deaths so far.There are 1,135 confirmed cases of the virus across the US, with 38 deaths so far.
Mr Trump said the European Union had "failed to take the same precautions" as the US in fighting the virus.Mr Trump said the European Union had "failed to take the same precautions" as the US in fighting the virus.
A Presidential Proclamation, published shortly after Mr Trump's speech, specified that the ban applies to anyone who has been in the EU's Schengen border-free area within 14 days prior to their arrival in the US. A presidential proclamation, published shortly after Mr Trump's speech, specified that the ban applied to anyone who had been in the EU's Schengen border-free area in the 14 days before their arrival in the US.
This implies that Ireland is excluded from the ban as it is not one of the 26 Schengen countries. Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania are also EU members without being part of the Schengen area. Other countries - like Switzerland and Iceland - are part of Schengen but not in the European Union. The Schengen area, as defined in the proclamation, includes 26 European states, but does not include the UK or Ireland, which will not be subject to the ban.
Mr Trump spoke just hours after Italy - the worst affected country outside China - announced tough new restrictions on its citizens. It will close all shops except food stores and pharmacies as part of its nationwide lockdown. Mr Trump initally said the travel suspension would also "apply to the tremendous amount of trade and cargo" coming from Europe into the US. He later tweeted to say that trade would "in no way be affected".
He said the travel suspension would also "apply to the tremendous amount of trade and cargo" coming from Europe into the US. But he later tweeted to say that "trade will in no way be affected" by the new measures. He also announced plans to provide billions of dollars in loans to small businesses, and urged Congress to pass major tax relief measures in an attempt to stymie the effect of the coronavirus outbreak on the economy.
Mr Trump also announced plans to provide billions of dollars in loans to small businesses, and urged Congress to pass major tax relief measures in an attempt to stymie the effect of the coronavirus outbreak on the economy. The US president has faced criticism for his response to the virus.
"We are marshalling the full power of the federal government and the private sector to protect the American people," he said. Reacting to his speech, senior Democrats said it was "alarming" that President Trump did not address a shortage of coronavirus testing kits in the US.
"We have a public health crisis in this country and the best way to help keep the American people safe and ensure their economic security is for the president to focus on fighting the spread of the coronavirus itself," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer in a statement.
On the travel ban, Lawrence Gostin, a public health expert at Georgetown University, tweeted: "most of Europe is as safe as US. This will have no impact on US ... germs don't respect borders".
What's the situation in the US?What's the situation in the US?
Officials had said the risk of infection was low for the general US public, but concern deepened after a number of new cases were confirmed earlier this month.Officials had said the risk of infection was low for the general US public, but concern deepened after a number of new cases were confirmed earlier this month.
Containment efforts have begun in earnest. Troops have been deployed to New Rochelle, just north of New York City, where one outbreak is believed to have originated.Containment efforts have begun in earnest. Troops have been deployed to New Rochelle, just north of New York City, where one outbreak is believed to have originated.
The National Guard will deliver food to some individuals who have been told to self-isolate there.The National Guard will deliver food to some individuals who have been told to self-isolate there.
The governor of Washington state has also banned large gatherings in several counties. The north-western state is the focal point of the outbreak in the US, accounting for 24 of at least 38 deaths across the country.The governor of Washington state has also banned large gatherings in several counties. The north-western state is the focal point of the outbreak in the US, accounting for 24 of at least 38 deaths across the country.
And in an unprecedented move, the National Basketball Association (NBA) announced that it would suspend the season after Wednesday night's games. The decision came after one player for the Utah Jazz tested positive for the virus.And in an unprecedented move, the National Basketball Association (NBA) announced that it would suspend the season after Wednesday night's games. The decision came after one player for the Utah Jazz tested positive for the virus.
Shortly after the NBA announcement, the Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks announced that he and his wife had contracted the virus in Australia.Shortly after the NBA announcement, the Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks announced that he and his wife had contracted the virus in Australia.
Dr Anthony Fauci, director the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told Congress that the outbreak is "going to get worse", and that depended on the ability to contain those infected.Dr Anthony Fauci, director the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told Congress that the outbreak is "going to get worse", and that depended on the ability to contain those infected.
High medical costs make the virus particularly problematic - many Americans avoid doctor's visits because of unaffordable charges. A lack of paid sick leave is another concern, as are fears about the number of available tests.High medical costs make the virus particularly problematic - many Americans avoid doctor's visits because of unaffordable charges. A lack of paid sick leave is another concern, as are fears about the number of available tests.
But Vice-President Mike Pence, who is in charge of the task force co-ordinating the response to the crisis, has said that "any American can be tested, no restrictions, subject to doctor's orders", and that insurers had promised to offset the charges.But Vice-President Mike Pence, who is in charge of the task force co-ordinating the response to the crisis, has said that "any American can be tested, no restrictions, subject to doctor's orders", and that insurers had promised to offset the charges.
What about the rest of the world?What about the rest of the world?
Earlier on Wednesday, the World Health Organization (WHO) said the outbreak was a pandemic. This is defined as a disease that is spreading in multiple countries around the world at the same time.Earlier on Wednesday, the World Health Organization (WHO) said the outbreak was a pandemic. This is defined as a disease that is spreading in multiple countries around the world at the same time.
WHO chief Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the number of cases outside China had increased 13-fold in two weeks. He said he was "deeply concerned" by the "alarming levels of inaction".WHO chief Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the number of cases outside China had increased 13-fold in two weeks. He said he was "deeply concerned" by the "alarming levels of inaction".
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte then announced an escalation in the country's ongoing lockdown.Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte then announced an escalation in the country's ongoing lockdown.
He said the majority of shops as well as bars, hairdressers, restaurants and cafes that could not guarantee a metre's distance between customers would close until 25 March.He said the majority of shops as well as bars, hairdressers, restaurants and cafes that could not guarantee a metre's distance between customers would close until 25 March.
Italy has more than 12,000 confirmed cases and a death toll of 827. Nearly 900 people with the virus in Italy were in intensive care, the WHO said. Italy is the worst-affected country outside China, with more than 12,000 confirmed cases and a death toll of 827.
Elsewhere, Denmark - which has 514 confirmed cases, up 10-fold since Monday - is to close all schools and universities from Friday. The government also urged the cancellation of events with more than 100 people attending. In Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel, warned that up to 70% of the country's population - some 58 million people - could contract the coronavirus. There have been nearly 1,300 cases so far.
Denmark - which has 514 confirmed cases, up 10-fold since Monday - is to close all schools and universities from Friday.
India suspended most visas for foreigners until 15 April and Guatemala banned European citizens from entering from Thursday.India suspended most visas for foreigners until 15 April and Guatemala banned European citizens from entering from Thursday.
Meanwhile, the UK is expected to switch to tactics aimed at delaying the spread of the virus rather than containing it.Meanwhile, the UK is expected to switch to tactics aimed at delaying the spread of the virus rather than containing it.
What questions do you have about coronavirus?What questions do you have about coronavirus?
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