The new travel ban and screening process has caused chaos at US airports amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Angry passengers have been sharing images and videos of packed airports in the US, as people returning from Europe queued for medical screening.
READ MORE: UK's herd immunity strategy over coronavirus called into question
O'Hare thousands of people going nowhere. This doesn't instill confidence. #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/wYNeHcGXOq
— Katy Loves Soil (@katyslittlefarm) March 14, 2020
Passengers have faced a series of medical questions regarding their overall health and history while they are checked for symptoms.
The process has resulted in thousands of people waiting hours to travel, with some experts noting that waiting in crowded terminals could potentially lead to more people becoming infected with the virus.
Right now at O’Hare airport in Chicago:
— Terrence Daniels (Captain Planet) (@Terrence_STR) March 15, 2020
Thousands of people are waiting for hours due to “enhanced #CoronaVirus screening" procedures...
This is not good, Trump has literally created a perfect storm to transmit #COVID19. Don’t even know where to start with this one.#Chicago pic.twitter.com/fOUQZfqxX7
On March 14, the US government extended an existing European travel ban to the UK and Ireland, with the exception of returning US citizens and legal residents. The FCO did not update its existing advice on the day of the announcement.
READ MORE: Coronavirus: Travel advice as Government warns against all but essential travel to 23 countries
Illinois governor JB Pritzker tweeted that the long lines at Chicago's O'Hare airport were "unacceptable".
Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf said his office was working with airlines to improve screening times.
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