US women’s football team trapped in Honduras
A women’s football team from the United States who were trapped in Honduras have returned to the country and were flown to Joint Base Charleston.
A women’s football team from the U.S. who were trapped in Honduras have returned to the United States and were flown to Joint Base Charleston. Officials with US Southern Command reported that on Friday the team got on a C-130 and were flown back to the United States.
According to a report by CBS Sports, the team were visiting Honduras to do charity work for a homeless shelter, and play in a tournament, when the country decided to close its borders as a response to the coronavirus.
“The group of 55 players and coaches are part of a nonprofit called American Football Events Team USA,” CBS Sports reported.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo revealed that the United States is prepared to “use all the tools we can” to get citizens stuck abroad due to travel restrictions back home. Speaking to CNN, Pompeo revealed that some students would be returning via commercial and private flights, and others would “travel back other ways.” Pompeo is working with the Department of Defense and the Defense Secretary and has assured the public that they’re making a “whole of government effort” to get people home
The team has been in Honduras since last Wednesday competing in a tournament with Honduran, Mexican, and Costa Rican national teams. Since Saturday, Honduras has cancelled all remaining games, as all gatherings exceeding 50 people have been temporarily suspended.
Flights have been grounded since Sunday. It is unknown how many American citizens currently remain abroad, unable to return home. So far the United States have reported a total of 16,491 cases and 200 have died from coronavirus.