Coronavirus: British Airways among airlines updating customers following Trump's travel ban

Airlines have started updating customers on flights following the US travel ban.

US President Donald Trump announced today that the UK and Ireland will be included in the European travel ban as cases of COVID-19 continue to rise across the globe.

The ban will come into force as of Monday.

British Airways have since introduced a more flexible booking option for their customers.

Airlines update customers on flights after Trump imposes US travel ban including Ireland and the UK

Customers who are booked to fly with the airline between March 14 and May 31 can cancel their booking and receive a voucher for the same value.

The airline’s website says: “Vouchers are valid for 12 months and can be used to any destination.

“Your voucher can be used as part payment towards a future booking to any destination.

“It must be redeemed for travel on flights taken within 12 months of your original date of departure.”

Irish airline Aer Lingus announced it is working on assisting customers since the US ban was announced.

In a statement it said: “We’re assessing the impact of new US government restrictions announced today on travel from Ireland and the UK to the United States.

“We will communicate directly with affected guests as soon as possible.

“All travel before 31 May can be changed to a later date and/or destination. No change fees apply. A fare difference may apply.”

Ten more patients have died in England after testing positive for Covid-19.

The 10 patients who died since Friday were being cared for in Buckinghamshire, Sandwell and West Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Leicester, Barts, London, north Middlesex and Chester, NHS England said.

A number of the patients, who were over 60, had underlying health conditions.

There have been 1,140 positive tests for coronavirus in the UK as of 9am today, up from 798 at the same time yesterday, the Department of Health and Social Care said.

The UK death toll now stands at 21, with 20 deaths confirmed in England and one in Scotland.

At a press conference on Saturday President Donald Trump was asked about reports that the US travel ban from Europe would be extended to the UK and Ireland on Monday.

Mr Trump, who confirmed that he had been tested for coronavirus, said: "We're looking at it very seriously, yes, because they've had a little bit of activity unfortunately, so we're going to be looking at that.

"We actually already have looked at it and that is going to be announced."

Shortly after, US vice president Mike Pence confirmed the ban, saying: "In our taskforce meeting today the president has made a decision to suspend all travel to the UK and Ireland, effective midnight Monday night, eastern standard time."

Mr Pence said there had been a "unanimous recommendation" from health experts to extend the travel ban.