Washington, May 27 (RHC)-- U.S. President Donald Trump has imposed new travel restrictions on Brazil as the World Health Organization has declared South America to be the new epicenter of the pandemic. 

Most foreign nationals who have been to Brazil in the past 14 days will not be allowed to enter the United States.  The order, which went into effect on Tuesday,  doesn’t apply to U.S. citizens, permanent residents or their close relatives. 

On Monday, Brazil’s daily death toll topped 800, surpassing the U.S. daily total of 620. Brazil now has around 375,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus — second only to the United States.  Over 23,000 deaths have been reported. 
 
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has repeatedly dismissed concerns over the pandemic and clashed with local leaders over their efforts to curb the spread of the virus.