US to exempt foreign athletes from coronavirus-related entry bans

As the US looks at restarting sporting events, foreign athletes will be allowed to enter the country despite a coronavirus-related travel ban.

Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf announced that he had signed an order for the exemption for some foreign athletes who compete in professional sporting events.

Besides the athletes, sporting leagues' essential staff, spouses and dependents will be exempt from the travel ban.

"In today’s environment, Americans need their sports. It’s time to reopen the economy and it is time we get our professional athletes back to work," he said in a statement.

In its response to the pandemic, President Donald Trump's administration had imposed bans on entry of travelers from China, Iran and much of Europe.

So far, the coronavirus has killed more than 94,000 people and infected 1.57 million in the United States.