After weeks of analysis, the World Health Organization (WHO) has now declared Covid-19 a global pandemic. In that context, President Trump has banned travel for most of Europe to the United States, and the stock markets responded with further dips.
Restricting travel from Europe is necessary, according to President Trump. He said on March 11 that he took these drastic measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus. The ban remains for 30 days starting March 13, but the restrictions do not apply to Britain.
26 European countries are affected by this ban. However, American citizens and permanent legal residents, together with their families, can fly back home but could be directed to specific airports for thorough screening.
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The State Department issued a “reconsider travel” advisory advising Americans not to visit the regions that are worst hit by the virus. The health insurance companies agreed to cover coronavirus treatments and waive related co-payments, according to Trump.
The presided promised to offer financial relief for ill and quarantined workers. He also said that he would instruct the Treasury Department to:
“Defer tax payments without interest or penalties for certain individuals and businesses negatively impacted.”
Mr. Trump is hopeful that the spread of the coronavirus will subside soon, even as medical experts warn that the pandemic will worsen. He said:
“This is not a financial crisis. This is just a temporary moment in time that we will overcome as a nation and a world.”
In an attempt to curb the spread of the virus, schools across the US closed indefinitely. Workplaces urged employees to work from home while some nursing homes banned visitors.
Tom Hanks hit by Covid-19
The Academy Award-winning actor Tom Hanks said on March 11 that he, together with Rita Wilson, his wife, had contracted the coronavirus. Hank is one of the famous celebrities to get the virus that has become a global pandemic.
The actor is currently in Australia shooting a documentary about the life of Elvis Presley. Production of the film is set to start filming on March 19. Mr. Hank and his wife will remain isolated for as long as the public health agents need. He wrote:
“Not much more to it than a one-day-at-a-time approach, no?”
He accompanied that statement with a lone medical glove put in a hazardous waste container. As of March 12, Australia has had over 120 confirmed coronavirus cases.
The premier of Queensland, Annastacia Palaszczuk, announced at a news conference that anyone who had interacted with Mr. Hanks and Ms. Wilson for over 15 minutes should self isolate. She added that coronavirus could affect anybody, so everyone should be careful at all times.
The NBA suspends season after player tests positive
The NBA also announced on March 11 that it would suspend its season after a Utah Jazz player tested positive for the coronavirus. The suspension took effect after the completion of the March 11 schedule.
A game between the Thunder and the Jazz in Oklahoma City was seconds away from the kick-off when the Thunder’s head medical staffer rushed onto the court to have a word with the referees. Players from both teams left for their locker rooms.
