President Trump on Monday ordered an end to the ban on travelers from Europe and Brazil aimed at stopping the spread of the coronavirus to the United States, a step quickly taken by assistants to President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. , who said Mr. Biden will recall the move when he takes office on Wednesday.
In a proclamation issued late Monday, Mr. Trump said the travel restrictions, which apply to non-citizens trying to come to the United States after spending time in those areas, are no longer necessary on January 26, the date on which some of these passengers must provide proof of a negative coronary virus test before boarding a flight.
Mr. Trump wrote that Alex Azar, the secretary of health and human services, had recommended ending the travel restrictions on most parts of Europe and Brazil, while maintaining restrictions on Iran and China, which Trump said were not cooperative.
“I agree with the Secretary that this action is the best way to protect Americans from Covid-19 while safely resuming the journey,” the president said in the proclamation.
But Jen Psaki, the incoming press secretary of the White House for Mr. Biden, said the new government does not allow Trump’s prescriptions to take effect.
“With the escalation of the pandemic and more contagious variants emerging around the world, this is not the time to lift restrictions on international travel,” Psaki tweeted shortly after the White House issued Trump’s proclamation.
“On the advice of our medical team, the administration does not intend to lift these restrictions at 1/26,” she said. “We plan to strengthen the health measures surrounding international travel to further mitigate the spread of Covid-19.”
The attempt of mr. Trump to change the policy associated with the pandemic, just two days before leaving office, is consistent with the unorthodox way he made the transition to a new government. Outgoing presidents usually refrain from issuing new executive orders without consulting the incoming president.
But Mr. Trump refused to meet the norms. On Monday, he also issued several other executive orders that were likely issued by Mr. Bids will be revoked or withdrawn, including one that will allow federal agencies to issue new regulations only upon incitement of political appointments.
He also issued an executive order directing the federal government not to buy drones “that pose unacceptable risks and are manufactured by either software or critical electronic components of foreign adversaries.”
The proclamation on travel restrictions appears to be an attempt to help the airlines and the hospitality industry, which have been hit hard by the ban. In the proclamation, he said that the ban was no longer necessary because unrestricted travel to the United States “is no longer detrimental to the interests of the United States”, adding that he finds it “in the interest of the United States. States are to end the suspension of access to the United States of persons who were physically present in those jurisdictions. “