US Suspends Travel From Europe's Schengen Area Over Coronavirus Pandemic
The US government implements a 30-day travel suspension for foreign nationals who recently visit Europe's Schengen Area amid the COVID-19 outbreak. The restriction does not apply to US permanent residents and does not halt trade or cargo.
The United States government suspends travel from Europe to the US for 30 days in response to the escalating COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. This restriction specifically targets foreign nationals who physically visit the Schengen Area during the 14 days prior to their attempted entry into the United States.
Despite initial confusion during the presidential announcement, the official proclamation clarifies that the ban does not affect trade and cargo. The suspension applies only to the 26-country Schengen Zone, meaning the United Kingdom and other non-Schengen countries are exempt unless a traveler recently passes through the restricted border-free region.
This abrupt travel restriction significantly impacts the global tech industry, which relies heavily on international business trips and employee movement between European offices and US headquarters. However, lawful permanent residents of the United States remain exempt from the suspension as the country attempts to slow the spread of the virus.