U.S. To Keep Travel Restrictions Due To Delta Variant

Travel to the U.S. will continue to be restricted from Europe and other countries, according to White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki, who cited the Delta variant spread as the cause in a recent press briefing. She said, “Given where we are today … with the Delta variant, we will maintain existing travel restrictions at this point… Driven by the Delta variant, cases are rising here at home, particularly among those who are unvaccinated and appear likely continue to increase in the weeks ahead.”

She noted that the percentage of adult Americans who are fully vaccinated is at 60%. In the five states with the highest case rates at this time, there is a higher rate of people getting newly vaccinated in comparison to the national average. In addition, nearly half a million Americans made the decision to get their first shot. She says all of those statistics are positive steps. However, she also points to the significant rise of cases in certain parts of the country and with certain populations, primarily among the unvaccinated.

She added that the CDC recently advised that Americans do not travel to the U.K. based on the surge in cases. She said, “ They will evaluate and make recommendations based on health data,” adding that they look to the CDC, and health and medical experts, as their “north star.”

To see full press briefing, visit www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/press-briefings/2021/07/26/press-briefing-by-press-secretary-jen-psaki-july-26-2021/