Section 4 of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 ( 22 U.S.C. 2671 ) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (e) Exception from reimbursement requirement for certain communicable disease-Related expenses In the case of a communicable disease for which the Federal Government has issued a travel alert or travel warning, the reimbursement requirements under subsections (b)(2)(A)(ii) and (d) shall not apply. . (4) Reimbursement (A) Authorization The Secretary of State shall reimburse covered individuals who were evacuated from a foreign country on or after December 31, 2019, and repatriated to the United States due to travel restrictions described in paragraph (1) for travel expenses associated with such evacuation and repatriation, including the costs of commercial or charter flights and any ground transportation expenses associated with travel to the foreign airport and from the domestic airport to their homes in the United States. (B) Process The Secretary of State shall develop an online process through which United States citizens may submit claims for reimbursement for travel expenses described in subparagraph (A). (c) Funding The Secretary of State may use amounts appropriated or otherwise made available to the Department of State in any appropriations Act for paying expenses related to overseas evacuations to pay for the travel expenses described in subsection (b)(1). 6. Consular affairs, task forces, and regulations The Secretary of State shall direct the Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs to immediately— (1) provide United States embassies, consulates, and other diplomatic missions worldwide with explicit guidance to protect covered individuals and use innovative means to empower officers, specialists, and Locally Employed Staff employees to protect American lives during and immediately after the declared COVID–19 pandemic period