(Photo: AP)

Washington (People's Daily) -- US Vice President Mike Pence has announced the government is expanding existing travel restrictions to include any foreign national who has visited Iran within the last 14 days.

The widening of travel restrictions on Iran is in response to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus.

Pence said the administration, through the US State Department, would increase the travel advisory for Italy and South Korea to Level 4, the highest level, advising Americans not to travel to specific regions in those countries.

“We are urging Americans to not travel to the areas in Italy and the areas in South Korea that are most affected by the coronavirus,” Pence said.