The President addressed the American people Wednesday night from The White House and announced that the US would be banning travel to the US from Europe for the next 30 days, starting next Friday.
This ban on travel will be adjusted based on conditions on the ground, and there will be exemptions for Americans who have undergone screenings. These prohibitions will not apply to the UK.
Trump announced that insurers have waived the co-pay for coronavirus diagnoses and treatment.
Trump announces a complete ban on incoming travel from Europe for the next 30 days, with exceptions granted on a case by case basis (Wuhan virus cases are exploding in Italy). He also said insurers have waived co-pays on all coronavirus diagnosis and treatment procedures.
— Sean Davis (@seanmdav) March 12, 2020
Trump announced emergency financial relief. This includes relief from the Small Business Administration (SBA) in the form of loans to struggling businesses in affected states. He has requested that Congress provide $50 billion for this relief, and implement immediate payroll tax cuts.
TRUMP ANNOUNCES:
— Lisa Desjardins (@LisaDNews) March 12, 2020
1. Small Business Admin. must provide loans to affected states
2. He is asking Congress to spend $50 billion to help small businesses
3. And he wants Congress to provide a payroll tax cut immediately.
Trump also called for relief for individuals who miss work due to the coronavirus, whether due to quarantine, illness, or care taking responsibilities.
POTUS says he‘ll be unprecedented emergency action to help financial strapped workers who are ill, quarantined, or taking care of others who are sick.
— John-Carlos Estrada (@Mr_JCE) March 12, 2020
?? Small business admin to give out loans to businesses affected by coronavirus. pic.twitter.com/AFZ0nG177n
He reassured the American people that “we are all in this together; we must put politics aside, stop the partisanship.”
“We are all in this together. We must put politics aside, stop the partisanship, and unify together as ONE NATION and ONE FAMILY.” — President @realDonaldTrump on #Coronavirus
— Stephanie Grisham (@PressSec) March 12, 2020
This is a breaking story and will be updated.