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The White House is expected to announce that the US will broaden its European travel ban, adding the United Kingdom and Ireland to its list.<\/p>\nThe White House is expected to announce that the US will broaden its European travel ban, adding the United Kingdom and Ireland to its list.<\/p>\n
Under the restrictions, American citizens, green card holders and others are still allowed to return home to the US \u2013 but will be funneled to 13 airports and be subjected to health screenings and quarantine orders, according to reports.<\/p>\n
US vice president Mike Pence confirmed the ban on travel from the UK and Ireland.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cIn our taskforce meeting today the president has made a decision to suspend all travel to the UK and Ireland, effective midnight Monday night, eastern standard time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Pence said there had been a \u201cunanimous recommendation\u201d from health experts to extend the travel ban.<\/p>\n
\u201cAmericans in the UK or Ireland can come home, legal residents can come home \u2026 they will will be funneled through specific airports and processed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Irish airline Aer Lingus said: \u201cWe\u2019re assessing the impact of new US government restrictions announced today on travel from Ireland and the UK to the United States.<\/p>\n
“We will communicate directly with affected guests as soon as possible.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll travel before 31 May can be changed to a later date and\/or destination. No change fees apply. A fare difference may apply.\u201d<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, President Trump announced a month-long restriction on travel from most of Europe, set to begin at midnight on Friday night.<\/p>\n
He said on Thursday that he was considering other major restrictions, such as limiting travel to domestic hot spots like California and Washington state, without spelling out how he would manage such an extraordinary effort.<\/p>\n
The State Department issued a global advisory cautioning US citizens to \u201creconsider travel abroad\u201d.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the T\u00e1naiste says Irish citizens should exercise a high degree of caution when making travel plans, particularly in Europe.<\/p>\n
In a statement, Simon Coveney says a growing number of countries are also imposing restrictions on entry and exit.<\/p>\n
His department is now advising against non-essential travel to the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark, Malta, Poland, and Slovakia.<\/p>\n
It will also be providing additional guidance on Spain which remains at non-essential travel, while Italy remains at no travel.<\/p>\n
The Department’s consular advice line will be open through the weekend and Irish embassies and consulates will be using social media to keep citizens informed.<\/p>\n