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Trump Administration Lifts Regional Covid-19 Bans for Europe and Brazil Starting Jan. 26 – Biden Team to Reverse

Jan 19, 2021 | Consular Services & Travel

In conjunction with the January 26th effective date of CDC testing requirements of a negative Covid-19 test for all international travel to the United States, President Trump has issued a proclamation lifting the travel ban for Brazil, Schengen countries, Ireland and the United Kingdom.

  • The previous bans affected foreign nationals who had been physically present in one of these countries within 14 days of travel to the US.
  • If enacted, the presidential proclamation would mean that travelers from the above mentioned countries would no longer be required to seek exceptions from travel bans in order to travel. They would be required to comply only with the new CDC testing and documentation requirements also taking effect on January 26.

However, the Biden team has stated that President-elect Biden will reverse this proclamation and retain all existing regional Covid-19 public health travel bans upon assuming office.

  • This would mean that affected foreign nationals will continue to be subject to the regional bans and will also be required to comply with the CDC testing requirements in order to undertake international travel.

Regarding the basis for lifting the bans, President Trump cited the administration’s confidence that Brazil, European Schengen countries, Ireland and the United Kingdom would cooperate in ensuring negative Covid-19 test results before travel.  In contrast, President Trump underscored that the travel bans would not be lifted for the People’s Republic of China and Islamic Republic of Iran.

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