US to extend European COVID-19 travel ban to include UK and Ireland

The US will extend a 30-day travel ban announced on Wednesday by President Donald Trump, which banned travel from 26 European Countries to the US, so as to include the UK and Ireland, in an effort to stem spread of COVID-19.
The announcement was made by Vice-President Mike Pence on Saturday as the United states declared a national emergency, over the virus’ outbreak. To date there are 3,805 infections confirmed cases of COVID-19 coronavirus in the US with 69 deaths.
Pence also announced that free testing for the virus would be provided for every American.
The ban, that will come into effect midnight EST on Monday, (04:00 GMT Tuesday), will apply only to foreign nationals and not to American citizens, who had been screened before entering the country.
Nigel Farage had praised the UK’s post-Brexit position before the US announcement, tweeting that Trump’s suspension of travel from Europe to the US was “drastic but necessary measures,” adding that the UK is now treated as an independent country.”