US Imposes 30-Day European Travel Ban Amid COVID-19 Pandemic Declaration
President Trump announces a 30-day suspension of travel from much of Europe to the US to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The restrictions follow the World Health Organization's official declaration of a global pandemic.
President Trump announces a strict 30-day ban on travel from European countries to the United States in an effort to keep new coronavirus cases from entering the country. The restrictions specifically target foreign nationals who have visited the Schengen region within the past 14 days, while American citizens and legal permanent residents remain exempt. The United Kingdom also does not fall under these new travel limitations.
This prime-time address comes directly after the World Health Organization officially classifies the global coronavirus outbreak as a pandemic. With worldwide cases exceeding 125,000 and over 1,000 confirmed cases in the United States, the White House attempts to calm a jittery public. In response to the growing crisis, the State Department issues an advisory urging American citizens to reconsider any planned international travel.
Beyond the travel restrictions, the president outlines economic measures designed to help the country navigate the temporary disruptions caused by the fast-spreading virus. Lawmakers in Washington actively scramble to find additional ways to contain the economic fallout as global markets experience significant turmoil. Trump describes these combined actions as the most aggressive and comprehensive effort in modern history to confront a foreign virus.