Trump Ends EU, UK, and Brazil Travel Bans, Biden Says No

President Donald Trump announced Monday that he will lift EU, UK and Brazil travel bans related to COVID-19 by January 26. The incoming administration of Joe Biden says no, you won’t. In a proclamation, Trump announced lifting the restrictions by January 26. This is the same day the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will require all incoming air passengers to the US to submit negative test results for COVID-19.

RELATED: US Requiring COVID Tests for All Foreign Travelers

“Public health officials in the jurisdictions have a proven record of working with the United States to share accurate and timely COVID-19 testing and trend data, and the United States has active collaborations with the jurisdictions regarding how to make travel safe between our respective countries,” the proclamation stated.

Biden Says No

However, Joe Biden will assume the presidency by January 20. This early, Jen Psaki, Biden’s press secretary, tweeted that restrictions would stay. But by then, Joe Biden will become president. As such, his press secretary tweeted that the restrictions would remain.

“With the pandemic worsening, and more contagious variants emerging around the world, this is not the time to be lifting restrictions on international travel,” said Biden's press secretary, Jen Psaki. “On the advice of our medical team, the Administration does not intend to lift these restrictions on 1/26. In fact, we plan to strengthen public health measures around international travel in order to further mitigate the spread of COVID-19,” she added.

2020 Travel Bans

Last year, COVID-19 severely restricted travel to and from the United States. The country also tightened travel from known hotspots such as Europe, China, and Iran. Scientists discovered a new coronavirus variant that originated from the UK that is reportedly more contagious. Ten states already detected the UK variant in their areas, according to a CDC report last week. While more transmissible, they are not more lethal. Last December, the CDC required all air travelers from the UK to test negative for COIV-19 before leaving for the US.

The Trump proclamation said the US will lift restrictions for the EU, UK, and Brazil. It said the US is confident that passengers from these countries will comply with the CDC order.  to show proof of a negative COVID-19 result.  However, even if the proclamation takes effect, travelers from the EU, UK, and Brazil will still need to submit negative test results. However, the restrictions that bar non-U.S. citizens who visited these places within the last 14 days will cease. Beginning January 26, the CDC will expand the negative COVID test result to all air passengers entering the US.

China and Iran Travel Ban Remains

Meanwhile, travel bans for China and Iran remain in place. The restriction for China remains because of their “lack of cooperation with the United States thus far in combatting the pandemic,” according to Trump. As such, their actions “cast doubt on their cooperation” with the testing order.

“Accordingly, the Secretary has advised me to remove the restrictions applicable to the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, and the Federative Republic of Brazil, while leaving in place the restrictions applicable to the People's Republic of China and the Islamic Republic of Iran,” the proclamation stated. “I agree with the Secretary that this action is the best way to continue protecting Americans from COVID-19 while enabling travel to resume safely.”

2 Million Deaths Worldwide

According to Johns Hopkins University, coronavirus infected more than 95 million people worldwide. In addition, 2 million people worldwide died. In particular, the United States is approaching 24 million cases and 400,000 deaths.

Watch the WION news report where incoming press secretary Jen Psaki announced that the Biden administration will not lift COVID-19 travel bans despite Trump's order:

Do you agree with Trump’s order lifting the EU, UK, and Brazil travel ban? Or, will you side with the incoming Biden administration is saying that it’s too premature at this time? Let us know what you think about traveling during the pandemic. Share your thoughts in the comment section below.