U.S. to ban Europeans from entering for 30 days due to coronavirus

President Trump announced a 30-day ban on Europeans traveling into the U.S. and said he would take emergency action to offer financial assistance to those affected by the coronavirus pandemic in an effort to mitigate the impact of the virus that is rapidly spreading across the country and around the world.

Mr. Trump, in a national address from the Oval Office, said the travel suspension would begin Friday at midnight and would exclude the U.K. The president suggested the restrictions would apply to goods shipped into the U.S. from Europe. “Anything coming from Europe to the United States is what we are discussing,” he said.

The president’s comments come as the virus has spread to more than 100 countries, roiled markets and disrupted daily life across the country and around the world. The sober address, which was carried live on television, marked his most direct response to date, though Mr. Trump again tried to sound an optimistic note and defended the actions that have already been taken by his administration.

“This is not a financial crisis,” Mr. Trump said. “This is just a temporary moment in time that we will overcome as a nation, and as a world.”

Further details of the travel restrictions weren’t immediately clear, but the restrictions on European travel were sure to hurt the airline industry, which has seen travel plummet as the virus has taken hold across the globe. The restrictions would also likely be a major blow to the region’s economy.

Mr. Trump, who spoke for about 10 minutes, also said he would ask Congress to take legislative action “to ensure that working Americans impacted by the virus can stay home without fear of financial hardship.” He said the aid would be targeted for workers who are ill, quarantined or caring for others.

He said he would instruct the IRS to push back the April 15 tax-payment deadline for certain individuals and businesses, providing a cash cushion for taxpayers at a time when the economy may falter. Mr. Trump said the action would provide an additional $200 billion of liquidity to the economy.

Effective immediately, Mr. Trump said the Small Business Administration would begin offering low-interest loans to help small businesses overcome temporary economic disruptions caused by the virus. He said the administration planned to ask Congress to authorize an additional $50 billion for the lending program.

Source: WSJ