The US government is considering lifting the travel ban for European countries, which has been in action since March 2020.
Travelers from Britain, Ireland and 26 other European countries would be allowed to enter the US if the ban is lifted, reported Reuters.
The White House coronavirus task-force members, public health and other federal agencies are in support of the plan to lift the travel ban, but President Trump still has to make the final decision. The timing of the decision remains uncertain.
Administration officials argue that lifting restrictions would provide a boost for the struggling US airlines. Airlines for America, a group representing American Airlines (A1G) (AAL), United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and other air travel companies, are advocating for a national standard on testing in order to safely reopen borders.
“The department stands ready to support the safe resumption of international flights to and from the US,” the spokesman from the US Transportation Department told Reuters.
High number of virus infection rates in Europe might tamper with the President’s approval. Also, most European countries are still not allowing US travelers to enter and are not likely to lift the ban immediately. Only the UK and Ireland allow US travelers but require two-weeks quarantine upon arrival.
At the start of COVID-19 pandemic, President Trump temporarily banned the nationals from 26 European Union countries that are part of the Schengen Agreement from entering the US. The ban was soon after extended to UK travelers. Trump justified the decision as a need to protect the US from the coronavirus hotspots. The ban was criticized by the EU leaders.