US declares virus 'emergency,' bans travelers from China The US says it is taking "fairly incremental measured steps" to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus since "there's a lot of unknowns" surrounding the virus. Officials have declared a public health emergency and temporarily banning the entry of foreign nationals who had traveled to China over the past two weeks to contain the spread of a deadly new virus and sweeping new restrictions will also be imposed on American citizens. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES