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Donald Trump open to lifting his European flight ban if coronavirus eases

Donald Trump brought in the ban in March - Yuri Gripas/POOL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Donald Trump brought in the ban in March - Yuri Gripas/POOL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Donald Trump has left open the prospect of his flight ban from Europe being lifted as he said countries in the continent were being monitored for progress against coronavirus.

The US president initially barred flights from 26 European countries back in March in one of his early moves to counter the Covid-19 outbreak, later adding the UK and Ireland to the list.

The ban remains in place, blocking foreign tourists or businessmen travelling to America from Europe, though US citizens and legal residents are allowed to fly home.

Mr Trump was asked on Tuesday whether he is considering lifting the flight ban in the coming weeks, given signs that travel between some European countries is picking up.

The president, responding during a White House press conference in the Rose Garden, initially referenced a new ban on flights coming from Brazil announced by the US.

But he went on: “We’ll be doing certain announcements on other countries including Europe as we move along.

“And where they’re making progress we’ll start to open it up, but only where they’re making progress. They’re making some good progress.

“I think we’re making very good progress. We’re making very good progress on the economy, the numbers are better than anybody would have anticipated.”

The answer made no reference to a specific time frame, suggesting that a change in the rules is not imminent.

However Mr Trump’s decision to unpack the reasons why the ban may be lifted rather than insisting no change is being considered will offer hope to those looking to make the trip.

The comments come with a backdrop of crippling reductions in air travel for US airlines, many of whom are facing vast black holes in their finances due to the outbreak.

The president has at times expressed sympathy for companies such as Boeing, which has seen its profits plunge as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.

Mr Trump has been at the forefront of those calling for states to loosen restrictions put in place to stop the spread of coronavirus, talking up the need to reopen the US economy.

However the president has also argued that the pandemic has underscored the importance of having strong national borders - a key plank of his ‘America First’ agenda.

He has repeatedly cited his decision to cut off flights from China earlier this year as the outbreak emerged as proof that he acted early to limit the impact on America.