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US ban on European Visitors Escalates Travel Industry Pain

Associated Press

   President Donald Trump's 30-day ban on most Europeans entering the
   United States is the latest calamity for a global travel industry
   already reeling from falling bookings and canceled reservations as
   people try to avoid contracting and spreading the coronavirus.

   The ban, announced Wednesday and set to begin at midnight Friday, won't
   apply to Americans trying to return home -- though they will be subject
   to "enhanced" health screening -- or to citizens of the United Kingdom.

   But coming on top of similar restrictions imposed by many other
   governments, Trump's move is bound to drastically escalate the upheaval
   facing global airlines and travelers on some of the most heavily
   traveled routes.

   The disruptions to air travel are rippling through economies in a blow
   to hotels, car rental companies, museums and restaurants.

   Lucrative business travel was already down sharply because conferences
   have been canceled and companies have instructed employees to skip all
   but essential trips. And travel from and within Asia has been
   restricted for weeks as authorities try to stop the spread of the virus
   there.

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