Coronavirus: Trump suspends travel from Europe to US

President Donald Trump has announced a suspension of travel from Europe to the US in a bid to fight the spread of coronavirus.

Trump announced the travel restriction on Wednesday, saying it would be in place for 30 days starting from Friday.

But he said the restriction would not apply to the United Kingdom but only travellers from the 26 countries in the Schengen border-free travel area.

The travel restriction does not apply to US citizens too.

Trump had initially said the travel restriction would also “apply to the tremendous amount of trade and cargo” coming from Europe into the US. He later tweeted that trade would “in no way be affected” and that the restriction stop people not goods.

“Today the World Health Organisation, officially announced that this is a global pandemic. We have been in frequent contact with our allies and we are marshalling the full power of the federal government and the private sector to protect the American people,” he said.

“After consulting the top government professionals I have decided to take several strong but necessary actions to protect the health and well-being of all Americans.

“To keep new cases from entering our shores, we will be suspending all travels from Europe to the United States for the next 30 days. The new rules will go into effect on Friday, at midnight.

“These restrictions will be adjusted, subject to conditions on the ground and there would be exemptions for Americans who have undergone appropriate screenings and these prohibitions will not only apply to the tremendous amount of trade and cargo but various other things as we get approval.

“Anything coming from Europe to the United States is what we are discussing. The restrictions will also not apply to the United Kingdom and at the same time we are monitoring the situation in China and South Korea and as the situation improves, we will revalue the restrictions and warnings,, that currently implies for a possible early opening.”

The US president also said he would take emergency action to provide financial relief for workers who are ill, quarantined or caring for others owing to the disease.

He added that he was also instructing the small business administration to provide capital and liquidity to firms affected by the virus.

The US has recorded 1,135 confirmed cases of the virus with 38 deaths so far.

Andrew Cuomo, governor of New York, had said troops would be sent into New Rochelle to contain the spread of the disease, with a one-mile (1.6km) “containment zone” enforced.

He said the area has the highest cluster of cases.

The national guard will deliver food to some individuals who have been told to self-isolate in New Rochelle.

Jay Inslee, governor of Washington, also banned large gatherings in several counties. The state accounts for 24 deaths across the country.

The 2020 edition of Coachella, one of the largest annual music festivals in the US, has been postponed, and the National Basketball Association suspended its season indefinitely after one of its players, Utah Jazz player, tested positive for coronavirus.