Amer Ishaq Soharwardi
Bureau Chief Washington
For the first time US President Donald Trump was serious about corona virus by addressing the nation from Oval Office and announced a 30-day ban on foreign visitors from most of Europe in an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus — ratcheting up his administration’s response after battling criticism for previously downplaying the crisis.
The address was special as Trump said the European Union had “failed to take the same precautions” as the U.S. had implemented to contain the coronavirus outbreak, prompting his decision to temporarily suspend travel between the two continents. The restrictions will not apply to the United Kingdom, where the number of confirmed cases topped 400 as per latest reports in UK press and announcement from UK health officials.
In this crucial moment he praised his administration by saying that “We made a life-saving move with early action on China, now we must take the same action with Europe,” Trump said in an 11-minute televised address, referencing his February decision to restrict travel from China, where the virus began. “Smart action today will prevent the spread of the virus tomorrow.”
Trump said he plans to take emergency action soon to provide financial relief to workers who are quarantined or caring for others due to coronavirus. He added he would be asking Congress to take legislative action to extend the relief
Agencies add: The Saudi govt has decided to impose a temporary lockdown in the country, informing airlines that all tourists and pilgrims should leave the country within 72 hours on Thursday.
Pakistanis who hold an Iqamah or Saudi Arabia’s residency have the choice to either stay in the country and return there within 72 hours or leave it within the same timeframe. A PIA spokesperson said that the schedule of the additional flights which will bring back Pakistanis from the kingdom will be announced soon.
Earlier, the Saudi government announced it had temporarily suspended travel of citizens and residents and halted flights with several states including Pakistan after coronavirus was declared a “pandemic” by World Health Organisation, state news agency Saudi Press Agency said on Thursday citing an official source at Interior Ministry.
The decision includes the European Union, Switzerland, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Sudan, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Eritrea, Kenya, Djibouti, and Somalia, source added, saying the Kingdom also suspended entry to those coming from these countries as the number of coronavirus cases in the Kingdom jumped to 45.
