US President Donald Trump has announced a suspension on travel from Europe to the US, not including Ireland and the UK, in an effort to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
The unprecedented measure will restrict all non-US travellers from entering America from the 26 countries of the Schengen Area of Europe.
The restrictions, which take effect from midnight on Friday, do not apply to American residents or to those travelling from the UK and Ireland.
The travel restriction applies to foreign nationals who have been in 26 European countries with open borders agreements, in the last 14 days.
Those exempt from these restrictions, such as U.S. citizens, will be directed to limited airports where screening can take place.— The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 12, 2020
President Trump delivered a speech from the Oval Office to outline the ban, saying it was “the most aggressive and comprehensive effort to confront a foreign virus in modern history.”
Meanwhile, Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs has upgraded travel advice for Spain following a rise in confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the county, on mainland and the Balearic and Canary Islands.
Irish travellers are being advised to “exercise a high degree of caution” and are advised against non-essential travel to the following areas: Madrid, Vitoria & Labastida in the Basque Country and La Rioja. More information is available on: https://www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-advice/a-z-list-of-countries/spain/
