UPDATED: Is the US about to ban travel to Europe?
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
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.
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.
Additional resources for traveling during the coronavirus outbreak:
- How coronavirus is impacting airline award availability
- How coronavirus has left the travel industry reeling
- Airlines scale back inflight offerings due to coronavirus
- How to ward off coronavirus in your hotel room
- Guide to traveling during the coronavirus outbreak
- Extreme measures cruise lines are taking during coronavirus
Featured photo by Clint Henderson/The Points Guy.
Sign-up Successful!
Welcome to The Points Guy!
Earn 90,000 bonus miles and 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card in the first three months of card membership. Offer ends 11/10/2021.
With Status Boost™, earn 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, up to two times per year getting you closer to Medallion Status. Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, 2X Miles at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets and earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply.
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles and 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. Offer expires 11/10/2021.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. *Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $75 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®.
- Enjoy an exclusive rate of $39 per person per visit to enter the Delta Sky Club® for you and up to two guests when traveling on a Delta flight.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.