International travelers returning to the United States are experiencing long waits at airports around the country as they are screened for the coronavirus.
Wait times at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport extended up to four hours, a situation Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker called “unacceptable” and prompted him to demand the federal government “get its s@#t together.”
“These crowds are waiting to get through customs which is under federal jurisdiction,” the Democrat said in a string of tweets late Saturday evening. “To the frustrated people trying to get home, I have spoken with the mayor and our Senators and we are working together to get the federal government to act to solve this. We will do everything within our power to get relief.”
Sen. Tammy Duckworth also complained of the wait times. The Illinois Democrat, who is the top Democrat on the Senate Transportation Committee, called the snarls “counterproductive.”
“This is unacceptable, counterproductive and exactly the opposite of what we need to do to prevent the spread of #COVID19. The Trump Administration must send more support to O’Hare immediately,” she said.
This is unacceptable, counterproductive and exactly the opposite of what we need to do to prevent the spread of #COVID19. The Trump Administration must send more support to O’Hare immediately. https://t.co/FzL8mGETDF
— Tammy Duckworth (@SenDuckworth) March 15, 2020
Hundreds of travelers returning from overseas also were stuck in long lines Saturday evening at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.
This is currently the waiting line for U.S. customs at DFW Airport, as international travelers are having to deal with a long wait as they re-enter the country. https://t.co/AkmAYw2tjg pic.twitter.com/c7RKkS0gzo
— FOX 4 NEWS (@FOX4) March 14, 2020
President Trump placed travel restrictions on much of Europe earlier in the week and added the United Kingdom and Ireland to the list on Saturday, after placing restrictions on China in January and Iran in February. He declared a national emergency on Friday.
Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf said his department was working to expedite lines at airports.
“DHS is aware of the long lines for passengers who are undergoing increased medical screening requirements. Right now we are working to add additional screening capacity and working with the airlines to expedite the process,” Wolf tweeted.
“I understand this is very stressful. In these unprecedented times, we ask for your patience. It currently takes ~60 seconds for medical professionals to screen each passenger. We will be increasing capacity but the health and safety of the American public is first & foremost,” he said.
2/2 I understand this is very stressful. In these unprecedented times, we ask for your patience. It currently takes ~60 seconds for medical professionals to screen each passenger. We will be increasing capacity but the health and safety of the American public is first & foremost.
— Acting Secretary Chad Wolf (@DHS_Wolf) March 15, 2020
As of Sunday morning, at least 2,759 people have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, and 59 people have died from the pandemic in the U.S. Worldwide, that number is much larger, sitting at more than 150,000 cases and almost 6,000 deaths.
