RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The United States is considering lifting entry restrictions for non-U.S. travelers recently passing through Brazil or 31 European countries, Reuters reported on Wednesday, November 25th, quoting five Washington and U.S. airline industry officials.
In addition to Brazil, the countries mentioned in the White House internal talks are The United Kingdom, Ireland and the 29 members of the Schengen Area, a free movement zone for people that includes part of the European Union, such as France and Germany, and some countries outside the bloc, among them Norway.
According to sources quoted by the agency, who have not been named, the reopening has the support of “members of the White House task force in the fight against Covid-19, public health officials and other federal agencies”.
U.S. President Donald Trump has not yet have made a definitive decision on the matter, and no authority in the U.S. federal government has so far publicly confirmed the information.
Since May, the United States has barred entry to most foreigners, regardless of nationality, with a recent passage through Brazil. As for travelers coming from Europe, the ban has been imposed for the most part since March.
Currently, the majority of foreigners who do not hold a residence visa in the United States are not allowed to enter the country if they have passed through Brazil or any of the 28 European countries 14 days before landing.
The veto list also includes China, the first state to be barred by Washington, still in January, and Iran – the American government would not yet be considering the end of restrictions for either of these two countries.
However, the U.S. Department of State grants “exceptions of national interest” for the entry of travelers from Europe on grounds of “humanitarian, public health or national security”. Entrepreneurs, investors, academics, students and journalists may also enter the country in special cases.
Potential deadlocks
The increase in the number of infections may, however, hinder the reopening. Of the 32 countries that could be exempted from entry restrictions, 13, including Brazil, are experiencing a surge in new Covid-19 cases, according to the New York Times.
The New York Times estimates that countries with a population of at least five million and a daily average of at least four new infections per 100,000 inhabitants “either are experiencing or continue to experience an upsurge.”
Another potential obstacle to the reopening of the American border is the reciprocity factor. Most of Europe is still barring travelers from the United States.
Brazil, the United Kingdom and Ireland allow entry, but in the case of the latter two, under the requirement of a two-week quarantine on arrival.
Source: Veja