[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] The Donald Trump administration in the United States has decided to add the United Kingdom and Ireland to the list of countries banned from entry to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), Fox News and others reported on the 14th (local time).
According to the report, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence held a COVID-19 task force (TF) meeting at the White House on the day and announced in a press briefing that starting from 0:00 on the 17th Eastern Time, the UK and Ireland will be included in the travel restriction list. Vice President Pence emphasized, "All health experts unanimously recommended this, and we are following their advice."
Earlier, the U.S. government announced a ban on entry from 26 European countries on the 11th but excluded the UK and Ireland. However, as COVID-19 rapidly spread in the two countries, the decision was ultimately made to impose the entry ban.
Vice President Pence explained that U.S. citizens and permanent residents can enter from the UK and Ireland but will undergo COVID-19 testing at designated airports. The entry ban applies only to foreigners who have stayed in the UK or Ireland within the past 14 days and does not apply to cargo. Major cruise ship operations will also be suspended for the next 30 days.
There is also a possibility of travel restrictions within the United States. President Trump urged Americans to reconsider non-essential travel and said that domestic travel restrictions are also being considered. Vice President Pence added, "Broad measures are being reviewed," but no decisions have been made yet.
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