; and (B) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives. (3) Covered Individual The term covered individual means a United States citizen, United States national, lawful permanent resident, or the immediate family members of a United States citizen, a United States national, or a lawful permanent resident. (4) Declared COVID–19 pandemic period The term declared COVID–19 pandemic period means the period of the national emergency declared by the President under the National Emergencies Act ( 50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) with respect to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID–19). 5. Assistance for covered individuals overseas (a) Petitioning for intracountry travel for United States persons in certain countries The Secretary of State shall petition the government of any country that closes borders and airspace or places travel restrictions due to COVID–19 to make provisions with the United States embassy, consulate, or other diplomatic mission responsible for consular services in that country to assure covered individuals can travel intracountry to United States Government evacuation points or to access commercial travel when possible. (b) Waiver or reimbursement of travel expenses (1) In general The Secretary of State shall waive any travel expenses paid by the Department of State on or after December 31, 2019, for any covered individual who is evacuated from a foreign country and repatriated to the United States due to travel restrictions implemented in response to COVID–19 or any future pandemic or international crisis, as determined by the Secretary. (2) Promissory notes Any promissory note signed by a covered individual to reimburse the Department of State for travel expenses described in paragraph (1) shall be null and void. (3) Conforming amendment Section 4 of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 ( 22 U.S.C. 2671 ) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (e) Exception from reimbursement requirement for certain communicable disease-Related expenses In the case of