U.S. President-elect Joe Biden's spokeswoman on Monday quickly dismissed outgoing President Donald Trump's statement lifting travel bans imposed on travelers arriving from much of Europe and Brazil starting January 26.

"On the advice of our medical team, the Administration does not intend to lift these restrictions on 1/26," tweeted Jen Psaki, Biden's press secretary. "In fact, we plan to strengthen public health measures around international travel in order to further mitigate the spread of COVID-19."

Trump earlier said the entry of passengers who have been physically present in the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Brazil "is no longer detrimental to the interests of the United States," and claimed that it is in the interests of the U.S. to suspend the restrictions on arrivals from these regions.

Biden will be inaugurated on Wednesday.

(With input from AFP)