US Considers Rescinding European Travel Entry Ban

COVID -19, Europe, Schengen area, travel, restrictions, white house, ban,

The White House is mulling lifting the European travel restrictions that ban non-citizens from entering the country, according to a Reuters report on Wednesday (Nov. 25), citing sources.

The Trump administration imposed bans on travelers from Brazil, Britain, Ireland and 26 other European countries in a move to stop the spread of COVID-19, five U.S. and airline officials told Reuters. A separate entry ban on travel from China and Iran will stay in place.

President Donald Trump has not made a decision regarding the plan, but the move is supported by members of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, public health and other federal agencies, the sources said. 

The ban affects Brazil and the Schengen area of Europe, which includes Britain, Ireland and 26 other European countries. The ban for most European visitors has been in place since mid-March; Brazil was added in May. A ban on most non-U.S. visitors from China was imposed on Jan. 31; Iran was added in February.

White House officials have said they feel the ban is no longer necessary, as most of the world is not subject to restrictions. Plus, lifting the bans could help revive U.S. airlines; international travel has plunged 70 percent, according to airline industry data, per Reuters.

The current restrictions bar the entry of most non-U.S. residents who have been in the specified countries in the past two weeks. However, the U.S. State Department has been allowing “national interest exceptions … related to humanitarian travel, public health response and national security.” Exceptions were also made for some European business travelers, investors, academics, students and journalists.

The restrictions could end up staying in place as infection rates are accelerating in Europe, prompting new lockdowns. European countries might also forbid Americans from resuming visits, officials said. A majority of Europe prohibits most U.S. travelers from entering. Britain and Ireland require two weeks of quarantine upon arrival, while Brazil allows U.S. travelers.

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said compulsory vaccinations are necessary before international travel will go back to normal. 

Meanwhile, retailers have said they are struggling from the lack of international shoppers’ foot traffic, leading Abercrombie to shutter stores in prime tourist cities.