U.S. Extends Travel Restrictions to Brazil

A new proclamation by President Trump restricts entry into the U.S. to non-U.S. residents who have been to Brazil within a 14-day period

U.S. President Donald Trump on 24 May released a presidential proclamation denying entry into the U.S. to non-U.S. residents who have been to Brazil within 14 days. Originally intended to take effect on 28 May, the restriction went into effect on 26 May.

President Trump’s rationale for the restriction is that the World Health Organization reports that as of 23 May, Brazil has the third highest number of confirmed cases in the world and the “potential for undetected transmission of the virus by infected individuals seeking to enter the United States from the Federative Republic of Brazil threatens the security of our transportation system and infrastructure and the national security.”

The President has previously suspended or limited entry to non-U.S. citizens entering the U.S. from other locations highly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In this update, Brazil joins the People’s Republic of China (excluding the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau), the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Schengen Area, and most recently, the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.

While these travel restrictions do not apply to U.S. residents, national airlines for the impacted countries are forced to cancel flights to the U.S., making it difficult for U.S. residents to secure their return travel. Such restrictive measures could become a trend if countries become new or renewed hotspots.