The US will only be issuing passports in “life-or-death emergencies,” in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19, according to a report.
The State Department’s action took effect March 20, according to CNN.
“Life-or-death emergencies” include any serious illness, injury or death in the immediate family that would require travel within three days, and applicants must provide proof like “a death certificate, a statement from a mortuary, or a signed letter from a hospital or medical professional,” according to the State Department.
Any application submitted before March 19 will be reviewed, the agency said.
To date, the virus has infected over 1 million people and killed over 52,000 around the globe.