The United States is to broaden its European coronavirus travel ban – adding the United Kingdom and Ireland to the list.
President Donald Trump said a ban on flights to the US from the UK and Ireland will be announced amid the coronavirus pandemic.
President Trump says he has taken a coronavirus test, and has also defended shaking hands with people.
At a press conference, Mr Trump was asked about reports that the US travel ban from Europe would be extended to the UK and Ireland on Monday.
He said: “We’re looking at it very seriously, yeah, because they’ve had a little bit of activity unfortunately, so we’re going to be looking at that.
“We actually already have looked at it and that is going to be announced.”
Mr Trump also confirmed that he had been tested for coronavirus.
Just finished a meeting on Covid-19 in the Situation Room, news conference coming up shortly. https://t.co/JaNDpyMWjL pic.twitter.com/x9lSEXjnea
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 14, 2020
US vice president Mike Pence confirmed the ban on travel from the UK and Ireland.
He said: “In 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.”
Mr Pence said there had been a “unanimous recommendation” from health experts to extend the travel ban.
“Americans in the UK or Ireland can come home, legal residents can come home … they will be funnelled through specific airports and processed.”
COVID-19 cases in the UK have reached 1140 after 37,746 people have been tested for coronavirus. The death toll in the UK rose to 21.
READ MORE: Coronavirus in Scotland: Death toll in the UK rises to 21 as outbreak continues
Earlier this week, President Trump announced that travel between the United States and the European Union will be suspended for 30 days in a bid to tackle the coronavirus.
According to White House spokesperson Judd Deere, everyone who comes into contact with President Donald Trump and Vice-President Mike Pence will have their temperature checked.
He said: “Out of an abundance of caution, temperature checks are now being performed on any individuals who are in close contact with the President and Vice President.
Journalist Courtney Subramanian tweeted that a reporter has been escorted out of the White House briefing room after his temperature was found to be too high.
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