EXCLUSIVE – US State Department suspends non-essential travel for employees – sources

(Updates with background and details)

By Humeyra Pamuk and Arshad Mohammed

WASHINGTON, March 11 (Reuters) – The U.S. State Department has decided to suspend non-essential travel by employees due to the spread of the coronavirus and allow only business-critical travel, three sources familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.

A source who spoke on condition of anonymity said decisions about travel by employees stationed abroad would be made by U.S. embassies and consulates, while Washington-based employees would have to seek approval from their offices.

Two other sources confirmed that U.S.-based employees needed approval from their offices, some of which focus on geographic areas and others on issues such as arms control. The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

President Donald Trump has been criticized by Democrats for initially downplaying the threat of the virus. Trump dismissed the allegations, saying his administration took early action and did a “great job” in dealing with the crisis.

The White House is considering measures for payroll tax relief, loan guarantees, workers’ compensation for lost wages, aid for small and medium-sized businesses and support for airlines, hotels and other travel companies, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said.

The coronavirus that emerged in China in December has spread around the world, throwing financial markets into turmoil, crippling industries, grounding some flights, closing schools and forcing the postponement of sporting events and concerts. Even the Summer Olympics in Tokyo are in question.

The respiratory illness has infected more than 119,100 people worldwide and killed 4,298, the vast majority in China, according to a Reuters tally.

The number of U.S. coronavirus cases has been steadily rising, affecting nearly three-quarters of U.S. states. More than 1,000 cases and 31 deaths have been reported.

Depending on how State Department policies are implemented, the travel restrictions could hamper U.S. diplomacy, which draws its strength from the face-to-face interactions of its thousands of employees deployed around the world.

In a sign of crucial diplomatic work, US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad was in Kabul on Wednesday to mediate between the Afghan government and the Taliban, after Washington struck a historic peace deal with both a few weeks ago.

Earlier on Wednesday, the State Department said it would hold a planned meeting of foreign ministers from the G7 countries, scheduled to take place in Pittsburgh later this month, by videoconference out of caution over the outbreak.

The World Health Organization described the new coronavirus as a pandemic for the first time on Wednesday and called on the global community to redouble its efforts to contain the outbreak, saying aggressive measures could still play a big role in containing it. (Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk and Arshad Mohammed; Editing by Matt Spetalnick and Peter Cooney)