On Monday, the U.S. State Department announced that they’d be adding more than 100 countries to their current “Do Not Travel” category due to the spread of COVID-19. The addition will bring the total number of countries in the highest designation (level 4) to approximately 80% of the world.
This move “reflects an adjustment in the State Dept.’s Travel Advisory system to rely more on (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s) existing epidemiological assessments.”
In August of 2020, the State Dept. lifted its Global Health Advisory against international travel as they now evaluate countries on a case by case basis, similar to how they did before the pandemic.
As travelers face ongoing risks due COVID-19, we have updated our Travel Advisories to better reflect @CDC’s science-based Travel Health Notices. We also considered logistics like testing availability and travel restrictions for U.S. citizens. https://t.co/Eu0gas8DZg. pic.twitter.com/R7GMnk8DIN
— Travel – State Dept (@TravelGov) April 19, 2021
The State Dept. has already classified 34 countries into the “Level 4: Do Not Travel” category, including Brazil, Haiti, Tanzania, Russia, North Korea, and Kenya, to name a few.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently has 141 destinations at a “Level 4: COVID-19 Very High.” This move by the State Dept. will put them more in line with the CDC’s recommendations.
Several weeks ago, the CDC announced that vaccinated people along with those who have a low risk of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19 could travel internationally. They would not have to quarantine once returning home unless their local authorities required them to do so. However, folks who travel internationally are still required to get a COVID test within three days of their return flight to the U.S. regardless of their vaccination status.
Source: Reuters
Photo by Artem Beliaikin on Unsplash
