US announces new travel restrictions, warnings over coronavirus concerns

The United States on Saturday announced additional travel restrictions on Iran and raised travel advisories for certain areas of Italy and South Korea over coronavirus concerns.

The United States is expanding existing travel restrictions on Iran to include any foreign national who has visited the country within the last 14 days, said Vice President Mike Pence at a White House press briefing.

Pence also said the Untied States has raised its travel advisories, urging Americans not to travel to certain regions of Italy and South Korea which are most affected by the virus.

Iran, Italy and South Korea are among the countries severely stricken by the outbreak.

Pence's announcement also came after the report of the first patient death in the country and as US health officials were scrambling to curb the spread of the virus.