Photo Credit: The New York Times

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday night announced a ban on travel from Europe into America in a public address from the Oval Office.

He said the move was to curb the spread of the Coronavirus in the United States. However, he added that  the restrictions does not include Britain.

The ban takes effect this Friday at midnight and will last for 30 days thereafter. The ban will affect commercial travel but will not affect trade and cargo.

There will be exemptions made for Americans who have been appropriately screened. The US State Department further clarified that the ban will not apply to American citizens, permanent residents or other family members.

President Trump described the COVID-19  as a “horrible infection” and advised that Americans should cut back on travel that was not necessary.

More than 1,000 people have been infected in the United States and the death toll has risen to 33.