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LAST UPDATE | 12 Mar 2020
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP has said he is suspending all travel between the US and most of the European Union for 30 days as he seeks to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a TV address, Trump said the “strong but necessary” restrictions would begin on Friday and would not apply to the UK. Officials later confirmed that the ban does not apply to Ireland either because it it not part of the Schengen area.
In the Oval Office address to the nation, Trump blamed the European Union for not acting quickly enough to address the “foreign virus” and claimed US clusters were “seeded” by European travellers.
The countries from the Schengen Area to which the ban applies, include: 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.
The ban suspends entry into the US for most foreign nationals who have been in these countries at any point during the 14 days prior arrival.
The ban does not apply to US citizens, legal permanent residents and immediate family members of US citizens.
In response to the move, European Council President Charles Michel tweeted that the EU will assesses the ban but that “economic disruption must be avoided.”
Leo Varadkar
The planned St Patrick’s Day reception and traditional shamrock presentation at the White House has also been cancelled.
It is not yet known if the shamrock bowl handover will happen at another time during the day, perhaps at the Oval Office meeting.
When the news broke this evening Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, who is in Washington DC and due to meet with the president tomorrow, was whisked away at the Irish Funds Gala to be briefed on the situation by his officials, including Secretary General of the Department of An Taoiseach Martin Fraser this evening.
The Taoiseach has now left the gala but is due to speak to the Irish media later.
The World Health Organization yesterday declared the spread of the coronavirus as a pandemic.
The number of confirmed cases of the infection topped 1,000 in the US and there have now been 43 cases in the Republic of Ireland.
“We made a lifesaving move with early action on China,” Trump said. “Now we must take the same action with Europe.”
The number of cases in the UK reached 460 today.
Trump said the restrictions won’t apply to the United Kingdom and the US would monitor the situation to determine if travel could be reopened earlier.
Trump said he was also directing agencies to provide unspecified financial relief for “for workers who are ill, quarantined or caring for others due to coronavirus,” and asked Congress to take action to extend it.
Donald J. Trump / Twitter
Donald J. Trump / Twitter / Twitter
“This is not a financial crisis,” he said. “This just a temporary moment of time that we will overcome together as a nation and as a world.”
Trump signed the order for the travel ban which will be implemented by the US Department of Homeland Security.
Acting Secretary of the US Department of Homeland Security said: “The actions President Trump is taking to deny entry to foreign nationals who have been in affected areas will keep Americans safe and save American lives.”
“I applaud the president for making this tough but necessary decision. While these new travel restrictions will be disruptive to some travelers, this decisive action is needed to protect the American public from further exposure to the potentially deadly coronavirus.”
With reporting by Rónán Duffy
She is a hero
I seriously have so much admiration and respect for this lady.
This story has recieved a mere 2500+ views compared to the 28,000+ attributed to the story about the shooting in the U.S!!
Makes you wonder what the people of our country think about its people!!
It’s about time this was sorted out, it’s a pity somebody had to die because of it.
Cost of repairing Priory Hall €10million approx / Government pledge to overseas aid €60 million.
Don’t think money was the issue with the state, to be fair! It was a private development that crossed paths with a public body in terms of planning. But the state can’t just write a cheque that easily and its a legal nightmare for everyone! Thankfully the saga appears to have an end in sight!
And what is the cost of going after the IRA builder who built it? Surely he should have to pay most of the 10 million euros?
the ‘ira’ builder…………get a life you troll.
He’s bankrupt. I say chuck him in jail till he pays. ..oh no wait its ireland after all
He has claimed British citizenship to qualify for bankruptcy in the UK. Bet the Sinn Fein lads didn’t like that move by this former hunger striker. You have been v silent on this one Gerry
IRA/SF builder.
I live in Roscrea Co. Tipperary and Tom McFeely built a number if houses at the end of my road which have been abandoned since he became bankrupt and are now vandalised and people are dumping on the sight. The first few to leave began dumping and by that the place became inhospitable for the rest, they all seemed to be renting and towards the end were playing rent to an English company and I think there is only a couple of windows left all have been broken. What a waste of perfectly good houses. They’ve ruined our whole estate which I used to love living in now I am disgusted every day as I drive past those houses!!
We have a harrowing history of forced evictions in Ireland. I can’t believe that we have allowed ourselves -through Government (past and present), our banks and our property developers, but also through our own lack of foresight; to see ourselves as a people in a similar position again.
The Easter Rising leaders must be turning in their graves..
Is this what we have achieved with our unfettered destinies?
This story has nothing to do with forced evictions. Agenda much?
I really would hope that people could have a bit of compassion and understanding for these innocent victims for the lack of proper regulation and standards in the Construction industry. I agree that most people are very supportive and genuinely want this to end. My Child and 88 of her Neighbours have been to Hell and back since 2007 when these apartments first opened. The “Banks” had these death traps inspected on at least 89 separate occasions and no major faults were reported. Coleport The Construction company had a CV with a massive list of failed developments yet they were left with a license to continue to construct death traps. These people were failed by our Government, the Department for the Environment, the Developers and the Banks . It really all came down to GREED & PROFITEERING. If there is any justice most of these Bastards will roast in hell. Every single one of them should be named and shamed, they all have blood on their hands.
Sad state of affairs when it takes a man to take his own life before the government gets its finger out to sort the issue.
Stephanie Meehan should be paid to attend the meeting with the Minister and all the Priory Hall parties. She should have the power to say who said what at these meetings. She is such a capable lady and could cut through the delaying tactics bullshit of all these “experts” These guys need the constant reminder that the crazy delays from all sides have ruined and cost lives.
Brave lady.
I hope KBC choke on the money
That poor woman has been through a lot I hope it is all sorted out soon for that poor woman & the rest of priory hall residents
Not only should it all have been sorted…they ‘Priory Hall Homeowners’ should now also be compensated for the distress it has caused, small comport I know.. thoughts are with you still Stephanie.
have your say