Biden team says US won’t lift COVID travel ban after Trump order

Spokeswoman for president-elect who takes office on January 20 says controls on Europe, Brazil arrivals will remain in place.

US President-elect Joe Biden’s spokeswoman quickly dismissed Donald Trump’s announcement on Monday that a COVID-19 ban on travellers arriving from much of Europe and Brazil would be lifted next week, stressing the incoming administration was listening to medical advice. The duelling statements underline the fractious transition of power just 48 hours ahead of Biden’s inauguration in Washington, DC. “On the advice of our medical team, the Administration does not intend to lift these restrictions on 1/26,” Jen Psaki, Biden’s press secretary, tweeted on Monday.