It’s among the biggest travel (or non-travel) news of the year. As Trump tries to lift his US Covid travel ban on Europe and Brazil, Biden pledges it will stay.
The President-elect is promising to undo President Trump’s last-minute bid to lift the 11-month travel ban on European and Brazilian arrivals. Joe Biden’s reason for doing so is the continuing Covid crisis worldwide.
On Monday, Trump signed an order ending the travel restrictions he swept in mid-March. Just as he has been promising to do so for months. His move won support from the coronavirus task force.
Biden Will Not Let Trump Travel Decree See Light Of Day
But Biden spokesperson Jen Psaki responded immediately in a couple of tweets, saying it was not the time to be lifting international travel restrictions. Largely due to the “more contagious variants emerging around the world”.
“On the advice of our medical team, the Administration does not intend to lift these restrictions on 1/26,” she added. Indeed, the contrary. “In fact, we plan to strengthen public health measures around international travel in order to further mitigate the spread of COVID-19.”
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.
— Jen Psaki (@jrpsaki) January 19, 2021
Europe, UK Brazil Travel Ban To Stay Until Covid Crisis Ends
The conflict over the controversial travel ban is adding sparks to the transition process.
According to Newsweek, Trump’s order means passengers coming from Europe, the UK and Brazil could again travel to the US, starting January 26. That’s if they show a negative Covid test. “But Biden can restore the travel ban as soon as he takes office on January 20,” it reports.
So Trump’s efforts, and his decree, appear to have already come unstitched.
Meanwhile, Joe Biden does plan to undo Donald Trump’s controversial ‘Muslim travel ban’ on inauguration day. But that’s another story.
For now, the travel restrictions, which are playing havoc with the lives of millions of people, will continue. For how long depends on progress with the vaccines, I guess. And with the outlook for sharp and deadly Covid upticks in Europe and the US.
So, Trump ironically may have got some hopes up among European and Brazilian travelers. By overturning his very own travel ban, to win departing favor. Yet Biden seems determined to get a firm grip on the US Covid crisis by ruling out most international travel for now. In any case, many Europeans are not going far for now. In Paris, I must be back home by 6 pm. That doesn’t allow much scope for long-haul travel!
Will Biden At Least Add Some Travel Exemptions?
This is a good question, which I will look into soon. I guess we will soon know the answer. Another question is what of the Europe ban on US travelers? My bet is the ongoing restrictions are bound to be reciprocal.
Thanks for your insight on this issue that is so important to so many people. I fear you’re right about the reciprocal nature of the restrictions.
Yes I can hardly see the EU lifting things at the moment anyway unfortunately. We seem to be back were we started from! Light at the end of the tunnel with vaccine.