President Trump has released a statement that he is suspending “all travel” from Europe. However, officials later clarified that the restriction is only on 26 countries.
The travel restrictions are to prevent any new cases entering the United States. The president’s announcement stirred up a lot of questions for the American people. The restrictions will not apply to US citizens or permanent residents. Additionally, trade and cargo will not be affected.
Currently, more than 1,500 people have tested positive in the United States for Coronavirus. The first case was identified in Wuhan, China last year. Although the virus originated in China, it is now a global pandemic. The virus has caused various events, schools, and jobs to be canceled.
President Trump’s address on Wednesday evening caused panic and confusion among Americans abroad. During his speech, Trump appeared to place blame on the EU for the increase in cases in the United States. “The European Union failed to take the same precautions and restrict travel from China and other hot spots,” Trump said. “As a result, a large number of new clusters in the United States were seeded by travelers from Europe.”
The widespread outbreak in Italy has forced the country to go under lockdown. The Italian government stated that it would temporarily close all nonessential commercial services. The big question is, how soon will the United States follow with this course of action?
No one is sure when this outbreak is going to end. People must stay positive and hopeful in times of crisis. Instead of creating more distress and clearing out grocery stores, we must all come together to help further spreading.
With all of the chaos happening around the world, one can question if times like this is bringing the world together.
References
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation summary. (2020). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/summary.html
Italy shuts down all shops and restaurants as coronavirus cases rise. Retrieved from https://time.com/5801497/italy-shops-restaurants-coronavirus/
Phelps, J. (2020). Trump announces travel from europe to be restricted amid coronavirus threat. Retrieved from https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-announces-travel-europe-restricted-amid-coronavirus-threat/story?id=69543646
Shaw, A. (2020). Trump administration to extend european travel ban to include UK and ireland. Retrieved from https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-european-travel-ban-uk-ireland
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation summary. (2020). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/summary.html
Italy shuts down all shops and restaurants as coronavirus cases rise. Retrieved from https://time.com/5801497/italy-shops-restaurants-coronavirus/
Phelps, J.Trump announces travel from europe to be restricted amid coronavirus threat. Retrieved from https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-announces-travel-europe-restricted-amid-coronavirus-threat/story?id=69543646
Shaw, A. (2020). Trump administration to extend european travel ban to include UK and ireland. Retrieved from https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-european-travel-ban-uk-ireland