Iran Press/America: The US travel ban, which already applies to 26 countries in Europe's Schengen area, has been extended to include Britain and Ireland. Donald Trump confirmed the announcement was imminent while speaking at a news conference at the White House this afternoon, with the vice president confirming the new travel restriction shortly afterward. Mike Pence said the travel ban had been extended to include the UK and Republic of Ireland on the advice of health officials and will be put in place from midnight eastern time on Monday.
According to BBC, The UK and Ireland had been exempt but Trump said on Saturday: "They've had a little bit of activity, unfortunately." The total number of confirmed cases in the UK has reached 1,140, with 21 deaths - up from 11 on Friday.
Pence explained that American citizens and legal residents could still return. Such people would be "funneled through specific airports and processed", he said.
Speaking at the same news conference, Trump said he had been tested himself and expected to get the results in the next 48 hours.
The US has confirmed 51 deaths linked to the pandemic and 2,488 infections.
More than 132,500 people have now been diagnosed in 123 countries, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). It says Europe is now the epicenter for the virus, which originated in China. Also, Following Italy's lead, Spain is poised to declare a 15-day national lockdown on Monday to battle the virus.
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