US Travel Update: More Countries Under ‘Do Not Travel’ Advisory
The US has surpassed the milestone of at least partially inoculating more than half of all adults against the coronavirus. However, US officials have increased the number of countries on the “Do Not Travel” list due to the continued risk associated with the pandemic.
The US State Department stated on 19 April, it will boost its “Do Not Travel” guidance to about 80% of countries worldwide, citing “unprecedented risk to travelers” from the COVID-19 pandemic.
This update will result in a significant increase in the number of countries at Level 4: Do Not Travel, to approximately 80% of countries worldwide.
US State Department statement
The State Department already listed 34 out of about 200 countries as “Level 4: Do Not Travel,” including places like Chad, Kosovo, Kenya, Brazil, Argentina, Haiti, Mozambique, Russia and Tanzania. Getting to 80% would imply adding nearly 130 countries.
This is a developing situation so check the list before you start your trip. To see which countries on the “Do Not Travel” list, check the official US website here.
Travel Restrictions Due to the Pandemic
Most Americans were already prevented from travelling to much of Europe because of COVID-19 restrictions. The current administration has still barred nearly all non-US citizens who have recently been in most of Europe, China, Brazil, Iran and South Africa.
The State Department said the move does not imply a reassessment of current health situations in some countries, but rather “reflects an adjustment in the State Department's Travel Advisory system to rely more on (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's) existing epidemiological assessments.”
Earlier this month, the CDC said people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can safely travel within the United States at “low risk” but CDC Director Rochelle Walensky discouraged Americans from doing so because of high coronavirus cases nationwide.
We know that right now we have a surging number of cases. I would advocate against general travel overall, We are not recommending travel at this time, especially for unvaccinated individuals.
Rochelle Walensky, CDC Director
International Travel
Earlier this month, the CDC announced that Americans who have received an FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccine could travel safely within the U.S.
As for international travel, fully vaccinated people will not be required to get a COVID-19 test before travel unless it is required by the destination. The agency also said vaccinated travelers don’t need to self-quarantine after returning to the US, unless required by state or local governments.
A number of European countries like Greece, Malta, France, and Croatia have announced that they are ready to receive American tourists.
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