U.S. reverses travel restrictions banning travel from some African countries

Effective midnight on Dec. 31, The Biden/Harris administration reversed restrictions imposed in November to combat the spread of the Omicron variant, banning air travel from South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique and Malawi. The restriction suspended entry into the U.S. for individuals who were physically present in the eight named countries during the 14-day period preceding attempted entry into the U.S.

The region’s leaders had denounced the ban as unfair, discriminatory and unnecessary.

Like previous COVID-19 travel bans, the restrictions did not apply to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, certain immediate family members of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents, and non-citizens who are members of the U.S. Armed Forces. Non-citizens whose entry would be “in the national interest, as determined by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or their designees” were also exempt from this travel ban, though protocols for establishing this exception were never promulgated.