Trump halted travel from Europe for 30 days. Officials now say it could be months
WASHINGTON — Restrictions on travel from Europe to the United States introduced in March by President Donald Trump could last for months, despite his initial statement they would remain in place for 30 days, three senior administration officials told McClatchy.
The protracted timeline has travel industry executives concerned that federal stimulus dollars meant to keep airlines, hotels and tourism businesses afloat during the coronavirus pandemic might fall short. Europe is the largest source of inbound travel for tourism and business to the United States after Canada and Mexico.
Trump administration officials noted the restrictions go both ways. European Union countries are heavily regulating travel within the continent, and French President Emmanuel Macron has floated the prospect of a freeze on international travel into Europe through September, given the pathogen’s late arrival in the United States and Africa – and the potential for a second wave of infections in Asia.
“It makes sense given the circumstances. I don’t think anyone expects them to ease anytime soon,” one Trump administration official said. The administration has no plans to lift the restrictions in the near future, a second official said.
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