TheCable

The US has extended its travel ban to the United Kingdom in a bid to curb the spread of coronavirus.

President Donald Trump, who has taken test for coronavirus after his doctor said there was no need to, had initially exempted the UK from the ban he imposed on European countries.

But Mike Pence, US vice-president, announced the new development on Saturday, saying the ban would take effect on Tuesday.

“In our task force meeting today the president has made a decision to suspend all travel to the UK and Ireland, effective midnight Monday night, eastern standard time,” Pence said.

The development comes after coronavirus deaths in UK doubled on Saturday.

There are concerns that the American president may have contracted the virus after he came in contact with two people who tested positive for the disease.

Addressing a press conference on Saturday, Trump said he took the test on Friday, adding that his temperature was normal.