US airports have been thrown into chaos as new coronavirus health screening measures for people returning from Europe are brought into force.

Long queues formed as travellers waited for hours for the screenings before passing through customs.

Earlier, Vice-President Mike Pence said a ban imposed on travel from European nations would be extended to the UK and Ireland on Tuesday.

The US has more than 2,700 confirmed cases, with 54 deaths.

Illinois governor JB Pritzker said the long lines at Chicago's O'Hare airport were "unacceptable".

The crowds & lines O’Hare are unacceptable & need to be addressed immediately.@realDonaldTrump @VP since this is the only communication medium you pay attention to—you need to do something NOW.

These crowds are waiting to get through customs which is under federal jurisdiction

— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) March 15, 2020

People have been tweeting pictures and videos of passengers waiting to be processed, forming large crowds in airport terminals:

Right now at O’Hare airport in Chicago:

Thousands of people are waiting for hours due to “enhanced #CoronaVirus screening" procedures...

This is not good, Trump has literally created a perfect storm to transmit #COVID19. Don’t even know where to start with this one.#Chicago pic.twitter.com/fOUQZfqxX7

— Terrence Daniels (Captain Planet) (@Terrence_STR) March 15, 2020

Passengers are being questioned about their medical histories and checked for symptoms.

Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf said his office was working with airlines to improve screening times.