President suspends all travel from Europe

[Northwoods]

Wow. I can't imagine if I was in Europe right now and I couldn't get home for 30 days!!!

[Taltarzac725]

Wow. I can't imagine if I was in Europe right now and I couldn't get home for 30 days!!!

There are probably a lot of exceptions to this rule.

[Polar Bear]

Wow. I can't imagine if I was in Europe right now and I couldn't get home for 30 days!!!
Effective Friday I believe.

[Taltarzac725]

President Trump announces suspension of travel between U.S. and Europe for 30 days | FOX 5 DC (https://www.fox5dc.com/news/president-trump-announces-suspension-of-travel-between-u-s-and-europe-for-30-days)

You can see loopholes in this. This is really for travel by other nationals from Europe. Not for US citizens returning from Europe.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced in a press release that the president had signed a proclamation which "suspends the entry of most foreign nationals who have been in certain European countries at any point during the 14 days prior to their scheduled arrival to the United States." The suspension does not apply to "legal permanent residents, (generally) immediate family of U.S. citizens, and other individuals who are identified in the proclamation.

[EdFNJ]

President Trump announces suspension of travel between U.S. and Europe for 30 days | FOX 5 DC (https://www.fox5dc.com/news/president-trump-announces-suspension-of-travel-between-u-s-and-europe-for-30-days)

You can see loopholes in this. This is really for travel by other nationals from Europe. Not for US citizens returning from Europe.
And also not from the UK. There will be some pretty large "loopholes" you can be sure.

[Two Bills]

Fly to/from London. Plenty of empty seats to rest of world from there.
The way I read it, the ban does not apply to US citizens.
France is to make an announcement today regarding the virus.
I think they are going to surrender!:icon_wink:

[jnafix]

Europe but not Asia ? ������

[GoPacers]

Europe but not Asia ? ������

The speechwriter had a momentary lapse of reason...

[Niferlou06]

That is not correct
If, in Europe and you are a US citizen you may fly back to the USA; but will undergo testing.

[M2inOR]

Here is the full text if the proclamation:

Access Denied (https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/proclamation-suspension-entry-immigrants-nonimmigrants-certain-additional-persons-pose-risk-transmitting-2019-novel-coronavirus/)

Yes, there are exceptions.

Viking canceled all river and ocean cruises until after April 30, affecting our travel plans. Last night we canceled all our flights and hotels before and after our March 26th cruise on the Elbe.

Uncertain times for the foreseeable future.

[Lindsyburnsy]

It wasn't difficult to see what was going to happen if we didn't immediately start testing and containment. We still don't know how many are infected because so few have been tested. US is way behind compared to many other countries. Inexcusable.

[Astajo]

He did not suspend all flights to Europe. England were there is a wide spread of the virus he left out .. WHY

[kbace6]

It's only for non-US personnel from the EU countries and those in the UK.

[golfing eagles]

It wasn't difficult to see what was going to happen if we didn't immediately start testing and containment. We still don't know how many are infected because so few have been tested. US is way behind compared to many other countries. Inexcusable.

Care to cite a source for that statement?

[Drdoug49]

Look at CDC website, very few people tested, China and South Korea have tested hundreds of thousands, testing, USA. Way behind.

[golfing eagles]

Look at CDC website, very few people tested, China and South Korea have tested hundreds of thousands, testing, USA. Way behind.

The outbreak started in China and then spread to S. Korea early on. Of course they've tested more people.
Look at the number of cases in China and S. Korea compared to the US, and it becomes obvious why.

[Maryland04]

Wow. I can't imagine if I was in Europe right now and I couldn't get home for 30 days!!!

There is more to the story that you did not pass on, as always a few words to distort the news.

[Jensor17]

Thanks for quoting that permanent US residents are allowed re-entry

[Bonnevie]

every scientist, medical professional I have seen or heard have said until there is widespread testing, there is no way to know how wide the spread is or the mortality rate.

[rjackson1759]

Wow. I can't imagine if I was in Europe right now and I couldn't get home for 30 days!!!
Trump tweeted last night that U.S. citizens are not affected.

[stadry]

didn't some dr say yesterday the mortality is projected to be 10x that of ordinary ( if there is such a thing ) flu ? Coronavirus is 10 times more lethal than the seasonal flu, Trump's task force immunologist says (https://theweek.com/speedreads/901470/coronavirus-10-times-more-lethal-than-seasonal-flu-trumps-task-force-immunologist-says)
yet millennials are snapping up the low air fares for travel

[BritChris]

Britain was excluded, I believe, because it is no longer part of the EU, meaning that it no longer has free borders with the rest of Europe so that the virus can be more easily contained. I suspect that it was probably a political maneuver too. Boris and Trump are quite cozy.

[toeser]

Wow. I can't imagine if I was in Europe right now and I couldn't get home for 30 days!!!

The ban does not cover Americans.

[danglanzsr]

The number of tests is not an indication of either extent of infections or the efficacy of the American response. There are a limited number of test kits, certainly not 300 million. Therefore, the tests are reserved for individuals showing symptoms. If there are few with symptoms, there are few tests.

[collie1228]

I watched the president's address last night and it left me confused. I can't believe they could let him come out on national TV and not be complete in his message, and then he tweets later that the ban doesn't mean US Citizens can't come home. A tweet? I don't tweet.

[cra914]

American citizens are exempt.

[Andyb]

Does not apply to Americans, they can come home.

[billethkid]

When referring to testing does anyone have any idea if the "gauge" for the test is alike?
What constitutes testing?
Taking ones temperature and listening with a stethoscope?

Without knowing the above, no conclusion can be made;
all that can be offered are select opinions, to which we are each entitled.

[Two Bills]

Testing is for people with symptoms, and should not be on demand.
Of course there will be shortages if all the paranoids want a test.

[Nancy@Pinellas]

No ban on people coming from China?????

[biker1]

Do you not know what Google is? With just a few key strokes you can find what you want to know without having to rely on this forum, which typically has wrong information.

No ban on people coming from China?????

[Villagesgal]

US citizens and permanent residents exempt.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Wow. I can't imagine if I was in Europe right now and I couldn't get home for 30 days!!!

US citizens returning home are exempt. I assume that they will be tested when they arrive however.

[MOMOH]

If you're an American citizen, you can fly home. If you're an ethical American citizen you would self-quarantine for 14 days...and that would be the hardest part.

[toeser]

Wow. I can't imagine if I was in Europe right now and I couldn't get home for 30 days!!!

Are you not a U.S. citizen? They are exempt. The ban is also region specific.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Testing is for people with symptoms, and should not be on demand.
Of course there will be shortages if all the paranoids want a test.

It's an interesting quandry. You make a bold statement. Using your criteria:

If my husband becomes sick with COVID-19, and HE has to be quarantined until he's healthy again, and *I* am his caretaker, and have no symptoms yet - I shouldn't be allowed to be tested for it.

And since the test is what proves that I have the virus - I can go out, go shopping for my husband, have coffee with the girls, grab a bite to eat at the fast food joint, maybe take some time away from home while the husband is well enough to care for himself, and relax with a drink at the town square.

without a care in the world because you have no proof that I have the virus.

I would have zero responsibility if every single person I interacted with got sick - because you can't prove that I had the virus.

I'd say that's pretty faulty logic, wouldn't you?

There aren't enough tests to go around. There could have been more than there are now - and in fact other countries have been much more prepared than ours is. We are JUST now starting to prepare for something that has been a problem worldwide for around a month.

Saying who should and shouldn't be allowed to get tested, and calling anyone who is concerned "paranoid" is short-sighted. You know that cashier at the store you went to this past week, who took your money and handed you your change? She has the virus. But she wasn't tested because she had no symptoms.

Good luck.

[sjgreene5]

That's not what was said, if you are a US citizen you can return, they might test you however.

[sipops]

Yes there is: U.S. citizens are not bound by this rule.

[Lil GTO]

Wow. I can't imagine if I was in Europe right now and I couldn't get home for 30 days!!!

It doesn’t apply to American citizens now Great Britain or Ireland.

[Ronlynch@comcast.net]

The best FAQs as of today 3-13-20

14 Day Ban For All Non USA Residents Who Visited Schengen Area

The simplest way to look at this new US policy decreed by President Donald J. Trump is a mandatory 14 day waiting period for any non US citizen who has been inside the Schengen Area of the European Union, before they can enter the USA. It doesn’t matter if you’re European or any other nationality, just whether you’ve been there lately.

Schengen Zone Countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

If you’ve visited other non-Schengen European countries, you’re ok, for now. For example, Ireland is a non-Schengen country, so travel between the US and Ireland should be exempt from the restriction.

Does the US-Europe travel ban effect all EU nationals?

Here’s the most important takeaway – it doesn’t matter if your passport is from a European Union Schengen Zone country or from Mars – all that matters is if you’v been in a Schengen Zone country lately. Obviously, citizens of Mars may face their own immigration issues.

If you are a New Zealander who was visiting Europe before a trip to the USA, you’re excluded, but if you’re a European who’s been in New Zealand for the last two weeks coming to the USA, you’re not.

How long will this Trump EU-USA travel ban last?

The travel ban takes effect Friday, March 13th 2020 and lasts for 30 days. By our math, that should mean an end date of April 11th/12th. That doesn’t mean the policy won’t be extended, or ended early. The administration has noted that it will review the situation as it evolves.

What this means is that anyone hoping to visit the USA in the next 30 days must be outside of the Schengen Zone of Europe for at least 14 days before they hope to enter, regardless where they’re from.

What defines a “US Permanent Resident”?

A permanent resident of the United States of America is typically defined as “green card” holder, which means you have the indefinite right to live and work in the USA. You do not need to be a US citizen, or even born on US soil to be a permanent resident.

This ban does not apply to permanent residents, aka people with green cards through work, family or other means, or US citizens holding US passports. You can read more on the distinction here.

the UK really not included in the ban?

For now, the United Kingdom is not facing any restriction for travel into the USA. If you haven’t been in the Schengen Zone of Europe and are in the UK, or will visit the UK, there’s nothing stopping you in either direction, other than the typical ESTA for entering the USA.

This does not however allow you to hop a flight from a Schengen country and then jump on a flight to the USA. As noted, all travelers must wait 14 days to enter the USA from their last day in a Schengen EU country.

Can American still travel to Europe?

Totally, but it’s not without challenges. Since airlines can’t transport any non permanent residents of the USA who have been in Schengen area countries to the USA, it’s more than likely that the vast majority of flights from Schengen European areas will be cancelled for the next 30 days. Beyond that, it’s anyone’s guess.

There’s nothing stopping an American from going to Europe and having an amazing trip, but if you’re making future plans, you may want to book the long haul flight to the UK, or via the UK and figure out the rest. Upon return in the US, there’s no mandatory quarantine for US citizens, but they can expect questions from CBP.

What if I have a booking and can’t travel now?

If a government is not allowing you to travel, it’s a completely different ball game than you deciding you don’t want to go by yourself. In circumstances such as this one, airlines should offer a full refund or at the very least, travel credit for the entire amount, without any change or cancellation fees.

Speak directly to the airline operating your flight or the hotel you’ve booked to sort out any changes or cancellations. If you’re cancelling a trip that’s not being hindered by a government mandate, it’s actually better to wait and see if better cancellation options pop up, than proactively cancel.

Isn’t there already a pandemic presence in the USA?

Yes, indeed. There are already quite a few cases in the United States, but the Trump administration notes that their response was better than any other country, so this is a move to prevent a further spread by all those other countries. You can make of that what you wish.

Since the move was done unilaterally, without consulting the European Union or other world groups, the European Commission voiced their disapproval of the measures in the media today and this may create the risk of retaliatory measures in Europe for US travelers.

[Two Bills]

It's an interesting quandry. You make a bold statement. Using your criteria:

If my husband becomes sick with COVID-19, and HE has to be quarantined until he's healthy again, and *I* am his caretaker, and have no symptoms yet - I shouldn't be allowed to be tested for it.

And since the test is what proves that I have the virus - I can go out, go shopping for my husband, have coffee with the girls, grab a bite to eat at the fast food joint, maybe take some time away from home while the husband is well enough to care for himself, and relax with a drink at the town square.

without a care in the world because you have no proof that I have the virus.

I would have zero responsibility if every single person I interacted with got sick - because you can't prove that I had the virus.

I'd say that's pretty faulty logic, wouldn't you?

There aren't enough tests to go around. There could have been more than there are now - and in fact other countries have been much more prepared than ours is. We are JUST now starting to prepare for something that has been a problem worldwide for around a month.

Saying who should and shouldn't be allowed to get tested, and calling anyone who is concerned "paranoid" is short-sighted. You know that cashier at the store you went to this past week, who took your money and handed you your change? She has the virus. But she wasn't tested because she had no symptoms.

Good luck.

My point of view was that popping into the doctors for a test on the off chance you may have virus without any symptoms, would be waste of a test kit.
In your example, I would hope that you would isolate yourself whilst caring for your sick husband as a matter of course.
I would also think that a test for yourself would be obligatory in the circumstances you described.

[MarvM]

The ban does not include US citizens returning to the US, it is only for European Union citizens.

[alwann]

A travel agent I spoke to today said there's a move afoot where cruise lines and carriers may begin requiring people to show "Fit to Travel" documentation from their doctor. Anybody hear of or experience this? I have travel booked for dates after the bans are lifted and wonder what I'll be facing in terms of new restrictions.

[retiredguy123]

Testing is for people with symptoms, and should not be on demand.
Of course there will be shortages if all the paranoids want a test.
I agree. So, you get tested today and it is negative. Suppose you want another test tomorrow?

[Lindsyburnsy]

CNN MSNBC. Not Fox

[GoodLife]

World Health Organization Chief just declared Europe the current epicenter of covid 19 pandemic. Good move by Trump to ban flights from europe just as he did earlier with china

World Health Organization chief says Europe now the epicenter of the world's coronavirus pandemic - ABC News (https://abcnews-go-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/abcnews.go.com/amp/International/wireStory/world-health-organization-chief-europe-now-epicenter-worlds-69583190?amp_js_v=a3&amp_gsa=1&usqp=mq331AQFKAGwASA%3D#aoh=15841274348419&csi=1&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fabcnews.go.com%2FInternatio nal%2FwireStory%2Fworld-health-organization-chief-europe-now-epicenter-worlds-69583190)

[seoulbrooks]

I watched the president's address last night and it left me confused. I can't believe they could let him come out on national TV and not be complete in his message, and then he tweets later that the ban doesn't mean US Citizens can't come home. A tweet? I don't tweet.
I was not confused.

[seoulbrooks]

The number of tests is not an indication of either extent of infections or the efficacy of the American response. There are a limited number of test kits, certainly not 300 million. Therefore, the tests are reserved for individuals showing symptoms. If there are few with symptoms, there are few tests.
Yea, a truthful, factual response! Thank you.

[kathyspear]

A travel agent I spoke to today said there's a move afoot where cruise lines and carriers may begin requiring people to show "Fit to Travel" documentation from their doctor. Anybody hear of or experience this? I have travel booked for dates after the bans are lifted and wonder what I'll be facing in terms of new restrictions.

This is the letter that agents were told to use for their 70 and over clients wishing to cruise:

Royal Caribbean Cruises (https://www.royalcaribbean.com/content/dam/royal/resources/pdf/rccl-approved-physician-letter.pdf)

kathy

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

The number of tests is not an indication of either extent of infections or the efficacy of the American response. There are a limited number of test kits, certainly not 300 million. Therefore, the tests are reserved for individuals showing symptoms. If there are few with symptoms, there are few tests.

The WHO (World Health Organization) had working tests that they offered to the USA, and our government rejected them. That is one of the several reasons why we have a test kit shortage. Certainly not the only reason - but one of them.

[Ashley from UK]

He did not suspend all flights to Europe. England were there is a wide spread of the virus he left out .. WHY

Because England voted to leave Europe a couple of years ago BREXIT....:1rotfl:

Ireland is not attached to Europe and it would ruin your St Patricks day celebrations if you banned Ireland !!!!!

News flash just come through though that UK and Ireland are now on the 30 day no travel list. :faint:

Here's :pray: hoping it sorts itself out. My house starts construction on 30th March (Thank you Gold Wing Nuts - your service is even more valuable now :bigbow:). We are due to close on 22nd June so fingers crossed the flights will be open again for then... and the GBP:USD will have corrected... 1.29 on Monday when we sent our final 20% deposit... 1.20 today.... Our home got $30,000 more expensive this week....:ohdear:

Stay healthy we hope to be coming out soon

[Two Bills]

This is the letter that agents were told to use for their 70 and over clients wishing to cruise:

Royal Caribbean Cruises (https://www.royalcaribbean.com/content/dam/royal/resources/pdf/rccl-approved-physician-letter.pdf)

kathy

I cannot believe anyone of sound mind is contemplating a cruise at all!