‘Tough measures’: Text of Trump’s address on coronavirus

Text of President Donald Trump’s national dress Wednesday night on new coronavirus, as provided by White House:

My fellow Americans:

Tonight, I want to speak with you about our nation’s unprecedented response to coronavirus outbreak that started in China and is w spreing throughout world.

Today, World Health Organization officially anunced that this is a global pandemic.

We have been in frequent contact with our allies, and we are marshaling full power of federal government and private sector to protect American people.

This is most aggressive and comprehensive effort to confront a foreign virus in modern history. I am confident that by counting and continuing to take se tough measures, we will significantly reduce threat to our citizens, and we will ultimately and expeditiously defeat this virus.

From beginning of time, nations and people have faced unforeseen challenges, including large-scale and very dangerous health threats. This is way it always was and always will be. It only matters how you respond, and we are responding with great speed and professionalism.

Our team is best anywhere in world. At very start of outbreak, we instituted sweeping travel restrictions on China and put in place first federally mandated quarantine in over 50 years. We declared a public health emergency and issued highest level of travel warning on or countries as virus spre its horrible infection.

And taking early intense action, we have seen dramatically fewer cases of virus in United States than are w present in Europe.

European Union failed to take same precautions and restrict travel from China and or hotspots. As a result, a large number of new clusters in United States were seeded by travelers from Europe.

After consulting with our top government health professionals, I have decided to take several strong but necessary actions to protect health and well-being of all Americans.

To keep new cases from entering our shores, we will be suspending all travel from Europe to United States for next 30 days. new rules will go into effect Friday at midnight. se restrictions will be justed subject to conditions on ground.

re will be exemptions for Americans who have undergone appropriate screenings, and se prohibitions will t only apply to tremendous amount of tre and cargo, but various or things as we get approval. Anything coming from Europe to United States is what we are discussing. se restrictions will also t apply to United Kingdom.

At same time, we are monitoring situation in China and in South Korea. And, as ir situation improves, we will reevaluate restrictions and warnings that are currently in place for a possible early opening.

Earlier this week, I met with leers of health insurance industry who have agreed to waive all copayments for coronavirus treatments, extend insurance cover to se treatments, and to prevent surprise medical billing.

We are cutting massive amounts of red tape to make antiviral rapies available in record time. se treatments will significantly reduce impact and reach of virus.

ditionally, last week, I signed into law an $8.3 billion funding bill to help CDC and or government ncies fight virus and support vaccines, treatments, and distribution of medical supplies. Testing and testing capabilities are expanding rapidly, day by day. We are moving very quickly.

vast majority of Americans: risk is very, very low. Young and healthy people can expect to recover fully and quickly if y should get virus. highest risk is for elderly population with underlying health conditions. elderly population must be very, very careful.

In particular, we are strongly vising that nursing homes for elderly suspend all medically unnecessary visits. In general, older Americans should also avoid nessential travel in crowded areas.

My ministration is coordinating directly with communities with largest outbreaks, and we have issued guidance on school closures, social distancing, and reducing large garings.

Smart action today will prevent spre of virus tomorrow.

Every community faces different risks and it is critical for you to follow guidelines of your local officials who are working closely with our federal health experts — and y are best.

For all Americans, it is essential that everyone take extra precautions and practice good hygiene. Each of us has a role to play in defeating this virus. Wash your hands, clean often-used surfaces, cover your face and mouth if you sneeze or cough, and most of all, if you are sick or t feeling well, stay home.

To ensure that working Americans impacted by virus can stay home without fear of financial hardship, I will soon be taking emergency action, which is unprecedented, to provide financial relief. This will be targeted for workers who are ill, quarantined, or caring for ors due to coronavirus.

I will be asking Congress to take legislative action to extend this relief.

Because of ecomic policies that we have put into place over last three years, we have greatest ecomy anywhere in world, by far.

Our banks and financial institutions are fully capitalized and incredibly strong. Our unemployment is at a historic low. This vast ecomic prosperity gives us flexibility, reserves, and resources to handle any threat that comes our way.

This is t a financial crisis, this is just a temporary moment of time that we will overcome toger as a nation and as a world.

However, to provide extra support for American workers, families, and businesses, tonight I am anuncing following ditional actions: I am instructing Small Business ministration to exercise available authority to provide capital and liquidity to firms affected by coronavirus.

Effective immediately, SBA will begin providing ecomic loans in affected states and territories. se low-interest loans will help small businesses overcome temporary ecomic disruptions caused by virus. To this end, I am asking Congress to increase funding for this program by an ditional $50 billion.

Using emergency authority, I will be instructing Treasury Department to defer tax payments, without interest or penalties, for certain individuals and businesses negatively impacted. This action will provide more than $200 billion of ditional liquidity to ecomy.

Finally, I am calling on Congress to provide Americans with immediate payroll tax relief. Hopefully y will consider this very strongly.

We are at a critical time in fight against virus. We me a life-saving move with early action on China. w we must take same action with Europe. We will t delay. I will never hesitate to take any necessary steps to protect lives, health, and safety of American people. I will always put well-being of America first.

If we are vigilant — and we can reduce chance of infection, which we will — we will significantly impede transmission of virus. virus will t have a chance against us.

nation is more prepared or more resilient than United States. We have best ecomy, most vanced healthcare, and most talented doctors, scientists, and researchers anywhere in world.

We are all in this toger. We must put politics aside, stop partisanship, and unify toger as one nation and one family.

As history has proven time and time again, Americans always rise to challenge and overcome versity.

Our future remains brighter than anyone can imagine. Acting with compassion and love, we will heal sick, care for those in need, help our fellow citizens, and emerge from this challenge stronger and more unified than ever before.

God bless you, and God bless America. Thank you.