Pompeo reconsidering trip to Asia after Trump tests positive for COVID-19
03 October, 2020
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Friday (Oct 2) he was reconsidering his upcoming visit to Asia as a precaution after President Donald Trump and his wife tested positive for COVID-19.
No decision has been taken yet, Pompeo told journalists on a flight from Rome to Dubrovnik in Croatia.
"I spoke with the vice president’s office today as well," Pompeo said. "We’re taking this obviously very seriously."
"We are praying for the president and first lady that they’ll have a speedy recovery," he said.
Pompeo added that both he and his wife tested negative on the plane 20 minutes ahead of landing in Dubrovnik. He said he last saw Trump personally on Sep 15.
Pompeo was set to travel to Japan, Mongolia and South Korea from Oct 4 to 8, an integral visit to strengthen ties with the regional allies at the same time when Washington's relationship with China remains fraught.
Japan said previously Friday it isn't alert to any change to Pompeo's visit to the country.
"I'm not aware right now of any change to the scheduled visit to Japan by Secretary of State Pompeo," Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato told reporters after being asked if US President Donald Trump's positive test for coronavirus would affect the visit.
Trump confirmed in a tweet that he and first lady Melania Trump have tested positive for COVID-19.
It employs Hope Hicks, one of is own closest aides, contracted the coronavirus.
Hicks started feeling mild symptoms through the plane ride home from a rally in Minnesota on Wednesday evening, according to an administration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. She was quarantined from others on the plane and her diagnosis was confirmed Thursday, the individual said.
The president’s physician Sean Conley said the Trumps are "both well at the moment", and that he expects the president to keep undertaking his duties "without disruption".
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