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UPDATED: Is the US about to ban travel to Europe?

March 12, 2020
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4 min read
Capitol Hill April 2019
UPDATED: Is the US about to ban travel to Europe?
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Editor's Note

Since this piece was first published, the White House did indeed ban travel from certain countries in Europe. All the details are </strong>

Editor's note: Since this piece was first published, the White House did indeed ban travel from certain countries in Europe. All the details are here.

Some pretty shocking conversations are happening at the highest levels of the U.S. government tonight. CNN is reporting the Acting U.S. Department of Homeland Security secretary told lawmakers during a hearing on the spread of coronavirus that travel restrictions for all of Europe are under discussion. CNN also reported, citing two officials familiar with the matter, that the subject was discussed at a White House meeting today, Wednesday March 11.

Related: Should I travel?

Among the most radical moves under consideration: raising the alert level for Europe, and a recommendation against any travel to Europe for Americans. Another proposal would mandate new quarantine measures for anyone returning from Europe and ending all flights. It appears that countries in the U.K. would be exempt from these measures.

The Washington Post reports the White House is considering putting all of Europe under a Level 3 travel advisory discouraging all nonessential travel. South Korea and Italy already have a Level 3 warning.

Acting Homeland Security Deputy Secretary Ken Cuccinelli at a hearing on Capitol Hill today said, "The question is a live question.. ..about how to treat Europe as a whole. You've seen Department of State and CDC warnings go up. That is not to the level of using legal authorities to block travel yet, but it is under discussion."

Related: Which airlines are offering the most flexibility for travelers affected by the coronavirus

Cuccinelli also pointed out that Europe allows free movement throughout European Union nations, "they don't have borders for the purposes of travel."

His comments come on the same day that the World Health Organization said the coronavirus outbreak was indeed a global pandemic.

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Related: Which airlines and hotels are offering elite status extensions?

Also Wednesday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and other senators are preparing a letter demanding President Donald Trump issue an emergency declaration for the whole country.

Related: The latest updates on airline coronavirus-related waivers, cancellations and route suspensions

CNN is reporting the minority leader, along with Democratic Senators Patty Murray of Washington and Gary Peters of Michigan, want a formal declaration, allowing the Federal Emergency Management Agency to use more than $40 billion from the Disaster Relief Fund to assist local state government in their response to the coronavirus.

Related: Myth-busting: Will a face mask keep you safe from viruses on a plane?

This illustration, created at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reveals ultrastructural morphology exhibited by coronaviruses, including the novel coronavirus identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China in 2019, 2020. Courtesy CDC/Alissa Eckert, MS. CDC requests display of watermark due to emergent nature of outbreak. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)

Additional resources for traveling during the coronavirus outbreak:

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
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  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
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  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
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