US President-elect Joe Biden’s spokeswoman says the US will maintain travel bans on the UK, much of the EU and Brazil – despite an order from President Donald Trump to lift them.
The White House decreed that the entry ban would end on 26 January – six days after Mr Biden takes office.
But Mr Biden’s spokeswoman, Jen Psaki, said that now was not the time to be easing travel measures.
The US imposed the restrictions on Europe last March and the Brazilian entry ban was put in place in May.
The White House had issued a statement saying that President Trump had signed an order lifting the entry ban on the UK, Ireland, the Schengen area of Europe that allows travel across open borders, and Brazil from 26 January. Travel bans for China and Iran would remain in place, the order said.
Following an order last week by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most air travellers arriving in the US from 26 January will have to provide a negative Covid-19 test or proof of recovery from the disease to enter.
