Blinken Cuts Short Asia Trip Over Covid Case in Entourage

  • Member of press tested positive in Malaysia, State Dept. says
  • Blinken, other senior staff have tested negative for virus

Antony Blinken arrives at Subang Airport, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Dec. 14.

Photographer: Olivier Douliery/AFP/Getty Images

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U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken cut short a three-country trip to Southeast Asia and will return to Washington after a journalist traveling with him tested positive for Covid-19.

The changes meant Blinken made only a brief logistical stop in Thailand rather than holding meetings there with Deputy Prime Minister Don Pramudwinai and other officials. He also canceled plans to meet with U.S. Indo-Pacific forces in Hawaii.