Biden to reinstate COVID-19 travel rules, add South Africa

WASHINGTON (AP) — Two White House officials say President Joe Biden on Monday will formally reinstate COVID-19 travel restrictions on non-U.S. travelers from Brazil, Ireland, United Kingdom and 26 other European countries that allow travel across open borders. The officials spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity to discuss the upcoming order. The officials also confirmed that South Africa would be added to the restricted list because of concerns about a variant of the virus that has spread beyond that nation. Biden is effectively reversing an order from President Donald Trump in his final days in office that called for the relaxation of the travel restrictions. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top U.S. infectious disease expert, called it “prudent.”