The United States maintains restrictions on international travel due to the Delta variant of the coronavirus
The United States will maintain current restrictions on international travel despite pressure from the European Union (EU), as cases of the Delta variant of the coronavirus increase in the country and around the world.
"We are going to maintain the existing restrictions," White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters on Monday, July 26.
"The more contagious Delta variant is spreading both here and abroad," he said.
He added that the trend of increasing cases is likely to continue "in the coming weeks," and reiterated that it mainly affects unvaccinated people.
When asked how travel restrictions would help, Psaki said: “Yes, it is the dominant variant in America. That does not mean that having more people who have the Delta variant is the right step.”
The United States has restricted travel from the EU, Britain, China and Iran for more than a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, then added other countries, including Brazil and India.
In June, the European Union opened up to travelers from the United States, generally demanding a vaccination certificate or negative tests for the virus, under pressure from tourism-dependent nations such as Greece, Spain and Italy, which feared another troubled year.
EU leaders have asked the United States to show reciprocity and on July 15, President Joe Biden assured that he would have an answer on the issue "in the next few days" after calls from German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
"The more contagious Delta variant is spreading both here and abroad," he said.
He added that the trend of increasing cases is likely to continue "in the coming weeks," and reiterated that it mainly affects unvaccinated people.
When asked how travel restrictions would help, Psaki said: “Yes, it is the dominant variant in America. That does not mean that having more people who have the Delta variant is the right step.”
The United States has restricted travel from the EU, Britain, China and Iran for more than a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, then added other countries, including Brazil and India.
In June, the European Union opened up to travelers from the United States, generally demanding a vaccination certificate or negative tests for the virus, under pressure from tourism-dependent nations such as Greece, Spain and Italy, which feared another troubled year.
EU leaders have asked the United States to show reciprocity and on July 15, President Joe Biden assured that he would have an answer on the issue "in the next few days" after calls from German Chancellor Angela Merkel.