US extends travel ban to include UK, Ireland amid coronavirus pandemic

As coronavirus cases soar in the UK, the White House is adding the country and Ireland to its ban on flights to and from Europe.

The two countries were originally exempt from the ban President Trump announced in his address to the nation Wednesday night.

But the UK’s number of deaths doubled overnight, to 24, the BBC reported. The total number of cases soared to 1,143, according to the Johns Hopkins University virus tracker.

There are a total of 90 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the Republic of Ireland, with one death.

Europe was named the epicenter of the pandemic by the World Health Organization Friday.

Vice President Mike Pence confirmed the addition at a press conference Saturday. It’s not clear if the White House reached out to British or Irish officials before making the decision. The European Union ban was criticized by allies who said they were not consulted before it was announced.

Under the restrictions, American citizens, green card holders and others are still allowed to return home to the US, but will be funneled to 13 airports and be subjected to health screenings and quarantine orders, the Associated Press reported.

Source: Read Full Article