U.S. may ban travelers from Brazil over COVID-19 spike: White House

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The U.S. is likely to impose travel restrictions on Brazil, a top White House official said following the South American nation's sharp spike in COVID-19 cases.

National security adviser Robert O' Brien told CBS' "Face the Nation" there will likely be a decision to suspend entry for travelers arriving from Brazil.

"We hope that'll be temporary, but because of the situation in Brazil, we're going to take every step necessary to protect the American people," O' Brien said.

Brazil has recorded 347,398 COVID-19 infections, a figure only shadowed by the U.S., which has registered 1,632,721, according to the Johns Hopkins University.

Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump said he was considering imposing a ban on travel from Brazil.

"I don't want people coming over here and infecting our people. I don't want people over there sick either. We're helping Brazil with ventilators. ... Brazil is having some trouble, no question about it," Trump told reporters at the White House.

Source(s): Reuters