President Joe Biden will reinstate COVID-19’s travel ban President Trump was disbanded with less than 48 hours left in his presidency, a White House official confirmed to CBS News. Mr. Biden is expected to restore the ban on Monday.
The ban applies to all non-US travelers re-entering the US from Brazil, the UK, Ireland and 26 countries in Europe. There will also be travel restrictions for non-Americans entering the US from South Africa.
News of the travel ban was first reported by Reuters.
On January 18, the Trump administration announced that it would lift some of the travel ban restrictions in place in March. As of Jan. 26, the Trump administration said it would lift travel restrictions from Brazil, the UK, Ireland and parts of Europe. Restrictions on Iran and China would remain in effect under the Trump administration’s ban.
Mr Trump cited coordination with US officials and transparency as justifications for lifting travel restrictions on Europe and Brazil.
Biden White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki immediately tweeted that the incoming administration had no intention of adhering to the change.
“As the pandemic worsens and more contagious variants emerge worldwide, now is not the time to lift restrictions on international travel,” Psaki wrote.
The White House official with direct knowledge of the action also said on Sunday that the Centers for Disease Control will not consider granting temporary exemptions to airlines to exempt countries with limited COVID testing capacity. CDC officials will consider humanitarian exemptions on a case-by-case basis.
A White House official also confirmed to CBS News that CDC Director Rochelle Walensky will sign a separate order Monday requiring masks on all planes, trains, subways, ferries, buses, and ride-share services such as Uber and Lyft.
Kathryn Watson contributed to this report.