Donald Trump has banned flights from most of Europe from entering the US for 30 days due to the coronavirus.
However, Ireland was not included in a list of affected countries released by the Trump administration.
Late last night, Donald Trump gave a televised address and announced that he was suspending all travel coming from Europe for the next 30 days from Friday.
The travel restriction applies to foreign nationals who have been in 26 European countries with open borders agreements, in the last 14 days.
Those exempt from these restrictions, such as U.S. citizens, will be directed to limited airports where screening can take place.— The White House 45 Archived (@WhiteHouse45) March 12, 2020
Mr Trump specifically noted that the restrictions do not apply to the UK, while Ireland does not feature in a list of impacted countries.
A release from the US Department of Homeland Security said only 26 Schengen countries will be impacted, although it will also apply to people who have been in the Schengen countries 14 days before attempting travel to the US.
The Schengen area doesn't include Ireland.
Mr Trump's order specifically references Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
There are a number of exceptions to the ban - including US citizens and those invited by the Trump administration in connection with tackling the virus.
Responding to the news this morning, European Council President Charles Michel said the EU will be assessing the situation today.
He said economic disruption "must be avoided", and that Europe is taking "all necessary measures" to contain the spread of COVID-19.
Following the travel ban @realDonaldTrump announced, we will assess the situation today.
Economic disruption must be avoided. #Europe is taking all necessary measures to contain the spread of the #COVID19 virus, limit the number of affected people and support research.— Charles Michel (@eucopresident) March 12, 2020
Travel suspension
Speaking at the White House last night, Mr Trump claimed the EU had "failed to take the same precautions" as the US.
He said: "To keep new cases from entering our shores, we will be suspending all travel from Europe to the United States for the next 30 days. The new rules will go into effect Friday at midnight.
"These restrictions will be adjusted subject to conditions on the ground."
Latest figures show the US has reported over 1,300 cases of COVID-19, including 30 deaths in Washington State.
Media reports from the US have claimed that delays in testing set back the country's response to the outbreak.
Taoiseach in Washington
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was at a fundraising dinner in Washington when the news of the travel ban broke.
He left the event early to get briefed by senior officials.
The Taoiseach will meet the US President later at the White House, but the annual shamrock ceremony has been cancelled amid coronavirus fears.
That meeting between Varadkar and Trump does now takes on greater significance, with the Taoiseach effectively also representing Europe following the ban.
It has also been announced that New York City's annual St Patrick's Day Parade has been postponed over the coronavirus.
It's the first time the parade has been called off in its 258-year history.
Elsewhere, the NBA confirmed it had suspended its basketball season after a player on the Utah Jazz team preliminarily tested positive for the virus.
