European Travel Ban – Cancellations & Exemptions

Donald Trump made an unprecedented move – suspending travel between the United States and Europe for 30 days in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The economic impact of restricting European tourism dollars inbound to the United States for 30 days is never before seen.

In his televised address, Trump blamed the European Union for failing to quickly shut down the pandemic which he said came to the US in clusters “seeded” by European travelers.  Trump said “we are marshaling the full power” of the government to protect the American people.

Although Trump’s speech made it sound as though “all travel,” meaning air travel was cancelled between Europe and the US, that’s not the case. However, we can expect airlines to change and amend their schedules as many will see a massive drop in passengers permitted to fly to the United States during the ban.

The Department of Homeland Security sent out a release clarifying his remarks:

WHO IS BANNED?

Foreign Nationals from: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. Or anyone who has been in those countries 14 days before traveling to the US.

WHO IS EXEMPT:

The ban applies to foreign nationals travelling from the prohibited area unless they are considered exempt. After Trump’s Oval Office address the DHS clarified the ruling didn’t apply to “legal permanent residents, (generally) immediate family members of US citizens, and other individuals who are identified in the proclamation”.

The proclamation lists as exempt: spouses of US citizens or permanent residents, parents of US citizens or permanent residents under the age of 21, unmarried siblings of US citizens or permanent residents under the age of 21 and any children, foster children or ward of a US citizen or permanent resident or a prospective adopter. Members of the armed forces, their spouses and children are also excluded. It also excludes anyone travelling to the US on certain specialized visas aka crewmembers, foreign government officials, NATO and UN visas.

HOW LONG?

The ban will be in effect from Friday, March 13 from 11.59pm eastern daylight time. It will last for 30 days and then be reassessed.