Trump Restricts Travel Between Europe and US Due to Coronavirus

President Trump has announced a travel ban between Europe and the United States will go into effect on Friday due to coronavirus outbreak.

Update: The Department of Homeland Security has posted a notice on its website to clarify the travel restrictions that were announced earlier by President Trump amid the coronavirus outbreak:

“Today President Donald J. Trump signed a Presidential Proclamation, which suspends the entry of most foreign nationals who have been in certain European countries at any point during the 14 days prior to their scheduled arrival to the United States. These countries, known as the Schengen Area, include: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. This does not apply to legal permanent residents, (generally) immediate family members of U.S. citizens, and other individuals who are identified in the proclamation.“

During a speech to the nation tonight President Trump has announced that all travel between Europe and the United States will be restricted due to the coronavirus outbreak. The travel ban begins on Friday, March 13 at midnight and will last for 30 days, with the United Kingdom exempt from the restriction.

“To keep new cases from entering our shores, we will be suspending all travel from Europe to the United States for the next 30 days,” President Trump said. He notably did not declare a national state of emergency during the address that included topics such as emergency action for paid sick leave and small business loans.

This new restriction comes after others were previously placed on countries like China and South Korea, and today’s declaration by the World Health Organization that the coronavirus is a pandemic. Other notable cancellations that have come today included gaming conference E3 as well as the NCAA restricting fans from attending March Madness events. The NBA has also postponed all games after the conclusion of tonight’s activity until further notice.

Additionally, this travel restriction puts an already shaky festival season on true notice. DJs and producers from Europe have been finalizing their plans to play during Miami Music Week, Beyond Wonderland SoCal, and other festivals and tours that were set to take place over the next month.

Over the past week, Ultra Music Festival in Miami and Abu Dhabi, Get Lost Miami, Rampage, Tomorrowland Winter, and other major festivals have been cancelled or postponed. Coachella and Stagecoach have also been postponed until October after a statement was made by Goldenvoice yesterday.

Stay tuned for more information about other cancellations and postponements from around the world as we continue to follow the impact coronavirus has on the festival season this year.

h/t: USA Today / Washington Post