Donald Trump would prefer to see the Games delayed than without crowds

The EU has hit back at Donald Trump after the president addressed the nation from the Oval Office on Wednesday night to announce a 30-day emergency travel restriction on 26 European nations because of the coronavirus, with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen condemning a decision made “unilaterally and without consultation”.

US commentators were quick to express concern about the “militaristic, nationalistic” tone of the president’s drastic decree, with Barack Obama staffers Susan Rice, Ben Rhodes and David Litt all taking to Twitter to voice their fears. “He’s gonna get us all killed,” wrote Litt, not entirely joking.

Democratic presidential candidates Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders each offered their own course of action following Trump's address.

The former vice president and Vermont senator pleaded for "compassion" as the virus spreads, standing in stark contrast to the president's tonally bleak remarks.

Mr Sanders said: "If there ever was a time in the modern history of our country when we are all in this together, this is that moment."

Slamming the president's assessment of Covid-19 as a "foreign virus" as "falling back on xenophobia", Mr Biden called the lack of a comprehensive federal paid sick leave policy a "national disgrace" as millions of American workers could face cut hours or layoffs and quarantines that could significantly impact their incomes.

He unveiled his campaign's multi-pronged approach to the crisis, offering it up to the White House for consideration.

As the press secretary of Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro reportedly tested positive for the virus days of meeting Trump, the White House has cancelled St Patrick’s Day celebrations with Irish prime minister Leo Varadkar and Trump 2020 events in Colorado, Nevada and Wisconsin in the interest of safeguarding the public.

White House press secretary Stephanie Grishman said the president and Mike Pence have no plans to get tested, despite their likely exposure to the virus.

Follow live coverage as it happened