Biden Extends Restrictions on Travelers from Europe, Brazil

Jan. 25—WASHINGTON — US President Joe Biden on Monday extended a ban on travelers from Europe's Schengen area, Britain and Brazil that was set to expire on Tuesday, as part of anti-coronavirus measures.

The administration also added South Africa to the list of countries whose citizens are barred from the US to stop the spread of COVID-19.

"On advice of our administration's medical and COVID team, President Biden has decided to maintain the restrictions previously in place for the European Schengen area, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, and Brazil," White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Monday.

"With the pandemic worsening and more contagious variants spreading, this isn't the time to be lifting restrictions on international travel," she added.

A new, more contagious variant of the coronavirus that was first detected in Britain has already reached the United States, but another variant discovered in South Africa has yet to be detected in the country, according to US public health officials.

Beginning Tuesday, all international travelers to the US, including US citizens, must provide proof to their airlines that they received a negative coronavirus test in the three days prior to their departure.

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