Despite the order by President Donald Trump regarding lifting the travel bans, a spokesperson for President-elect Joe Biden stated that the US will maintain travel bans on the UK, much of the EU and Brazil.

The White House stated yesterday (18) that the entry ban would be lifted on 26 January, six days after the President-elect assumes office.

Releasing a statement on Twitter, Jen Psaki, Biden’s Spokesperson stated that "On the advice of our medical team, the administration does not intend to lift these restrictions on 1/26."

"In fact, we plan to strengthen public health measures around international travel in order to further mitigate the spread of Covid-19."

She said that with "more contagious variants emerging around the world, this is not the time to be lifting restrictions on international travel".

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.