White House still examining travel restrictions, allegedly damaging relations

Thursday, September 2, 2021

The White House will continue to examine a policy that allows vaccinated foreigners into the United States.

US faces growing anger from European nations over apparently unmoving Covid-19 travel restrictions.

Press secretary, Jen Psaki said the new rules were not finalized.

The restrictions remain in place, despite the damage they are causing to US-European relations.

 She also said that people are eager to be reunited with loved ones. It is impacting many people around the world.

The issue has devolved into a major transatlantic rift.

President Joe Biden has maintained strict bans on nonessential travel from Europe, even as vaccination rates on the continent tick upward.

European leaders have become increasingly vocal in protesting the restrictions on their citizens.

They said the issue is now damaging relations between the US and Europe.

Europe opened its borders to Americans in June.

But this week, it removed the United States from a safe list of countries whose citizens are exempt from quarantine or testing requirements.

Under the guidance, each EU country will decide whether to allow non-essential travel to the EU for fully vaccinated travellers.

Psaki said the administration was working across federal agencies to develop a consistent and safe international travel policy.

In tweets on Tuesday evening, European ambassadors in Washington collectively called for loosening the restrictions.

Stavros Lambrinidis, the European Union ambassador stated that the travel ban seriously harms vital economic & human ties at a time when they’re most needed.

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