The European travel ban activated by Proclamation by President of the United States Donald J. Trump went into effect at midnight Friday (actually 11:59 p.m. on Friday/Saturday). The travel ban proclamation was announced Wednesday, March 11, 2020. The travel ban to and from Europe in the United States caused long, dense lines Saturday, March 14, 2020 at O’Hare International airport and 12 other airports that were approved to accept flights from Europe.
APPROVED FOR EUROPE ARRIVALS
Atlanta: Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Chicago: Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
Dallas-Fort Worth: Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
Detroit: Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW)
Honolulu: Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)
Los Angeles: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
New York City: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Newark, New Jersey: Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
San Francisco: San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Seattle: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Washington, D.C.: Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Two others unknown at this time
Arriving passengers were cramped into a huge crowd of people waiting to be screened through U.S. customs at O’Hare International Airport. Initially there was no word whether any passengers were discovered to have a fever. Passengers and family were concerned that Social Distancing was invalidated by risk of exposure to to COVID-19 when hundreds of people were forced to wait side-by-side in large terminal areas. Passengers, some who waited for four hours, had their temperatures assessed and were asked where they had recently traveled.
President Trump announced Saturday, March 14, 2020 that the United States will expand the 26-country European travel ban (announced Wednesday March 11, 2020) to the United Kingdom and Ireland. U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, spouses of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents, diplomatic and official travelers, air and sea crew members, members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their spouses and children, and certain other categories of travelers are still allowed to return home to the U.S., but will be funneled to 13 airports and be subjected to health screenings and quarantine orders.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker criticized the Trump administration on Facebook, adding the federal government needs to get its s@#t together. NOW.
The crowds and lines at O’Hare are unacceptable and need to be addressed immediately.
President Donald J. Trump Vice President Mike Pence since this is the only communication medium you pay attention to – you need to do something NOW.
These crowds are waiting to get through customs which is under federal jurisdiction.
To the frustrated people trying to get home, I have spoken with the mayor and our Senators and we are working together to get the federal government to act to solve this.
We will do everything within our power to get relief.
The federal government needs to get its s@#t together. NOW.
— Governor JB Pritzker (Faceboook)
This is the scene at O’Hare airport. The traveler who took the photo said it’s a 6-hour wait for bags then on to customs for 2-4 more of waiting in shoulder-to-shoulder crowds. Police are handing out water and disinfectant wipes. @fly2ohare #ord #coronavirus #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/UTx9E0nj1s
— Brooke Geiger McDonald (@BrookeGMcDonald) March 15, 2020
Trump’s Europe travel ban didn’t exactly cause #SocialDistance at O’Hare airport.
pic.twitter.com/4qN7JHLtBZ— Michael Ball (@Michael44004861) March 15, 2020
Navy Pier is the latest Chicago-area attraction closed due to the coronavirus. It will shut down on Monday and reopen on April 3. https://t.co/Q7YuqMr1X5
— Chicago Tribune (@chicagotribune) March 15, 2020
These weren’t “lines” at Chicago O’Hare. They were “packed crowds” and they turned the airport into a giant coronavirus breeding ground. Why didn’t Trump’s White House, DHS and other federal agencies prepare better for this? https://t.co/loYmcYAqej pic.twitter.com/t3SYwxGESE
— Tim O'Brien (@TimOBrien) March 15, 2020
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PHOTOS: Long lines greet passengers at O’Hare during travel ban https://t.co/W8gDFaBEKC
— FOX59 News (@FOX59) March 15, 2020
Queuing to contract cv at the O'Hare International airport in Chicago. @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/hq3ZgXwgoK
— Ande Rychter (@RychterAnde) March 15, 2020
WATCH LIVE: Mayor Lightfoot, Chicago Dept. of Aviation officials to address crowds, delays at Chicago airports https://t.co/9onHhsluJu
— ABC 7 Chicago (@ABC7Chicago) March 15, 2020
Coronavirus screening causes massive bottlenecks at O’Hare and other U.S. airports https://t.co/ZI2N7WEg8h
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) March 15, 2020
Chicago Department of Aviation staff is working hard to distribute snacks and bottled water to international arriving travelers waiting in longer-than-usual customs processing lines. Thank you for your patience. pic.twitter.com/982IaBeYCO
— O'Hare Intl. Airport (@fly2ohare) March 15, 2020
Attention travelers: customs processing is taking longer than usual inside the Federal Inspection Services (FIS) facility owing to enhanced #COVID19 screening for passengers arriving from Europe. Thank you for your patience.
— O'Hare Intl. Airport (@fly2ohare) March 15, 2020
ORD is one of 13 US airports conducting enhanced #COVID19 screening of passengers arriving from Europe. Customs processing is taking longer than usual. Thank you for your patience.
— O'Hare Intl. Airport (@fly2ohare) March 15, 2020
Airport personnel and @Chicago_Police are distributing bottled water and snacks to travelers waiting to get through customs processing. Thank you for your patience.
— O'Hare Intl. Airport (@fly2ohare) March 15, 2020
RELATED NEWS …
CARDINAL NEWS | Proclamation Text of “Europe Travel Ban” Effective Midnight Friday/Saturday
CARDINAL NEWS | Overseas Security Advisory Council Update on Europe Travel Ban (Full Text)