White House against elderly travel ban

The White House over-ruled health officials who wanted to recommend that elderly and physically fragile Americans be advised not to fly on commercial airlines because of the new coronavirus.

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) submitted the plan as a way of trying to control the virus, but White House officials ordered the air travel recommendation be removed.

Trump administration officials have since suggested certain people should consider not travelling, but have stopped short of the stronger guidance sought by the CDC.

Administration officials disputed the account.

In a tweet, the press secretary for vice-president Mike Pence, Katie Miller, said that “it was never a recommendation to the task force”.

On Friday, the CDC quietly updated its website to tell older adults and people with severe medical conditions such as heart, lung or kidney disease to “stay home as much as possible” and avoid crowds.

Health and human services secretary Alex Azar suggested older Americans and those with health problems should avoid crowds, “especially in poorly ventilated spaces”.

Germany’s health minister has meanwhile called for large events to be cancelled across the country to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Jens Spahn said all events with more than 1,000 participants should be called off. He also urged members of the public to stay at home to help the healthcare system cope.