From USA Today:
“'Do not travel' list: The US
State Department is raising the alert level for most countries due to COVID”
Travelers researching
international trips during the coronavirus pandemic have been confronted with
conflicting government advice. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
has one system of rating the risks by country, the U.S. State Department another,
producing different travel alert levels for the same country in many cases.
Mexico, a popular vacation spot with American vacationers this year, is deemed
a level 4 by the CDC – meaning avoid all travel – but a level 3 by the State
Department – meaning "reconsider travel.'' The Bahamas was just raised to
a level 4 by the CDC and is a level 3 on the State Department scale.
The State Department is about to
clear up some of that confusion, and the news is not good for travelers
pondering a trip abroad. The State Department on Monday said it is raising the
alert level for a significant number of countries this week as it factors the
CDC's COVID data more heavily into its rating system. "As travelers face
ongoing risks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of State will begin
updating its travel advisories this week to better reflect the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention’s science-based Travel Health Notices that
outline current issues affecting travelers’ health,'' the department said in a
statement. "Our advisories also take into account logistical factors,
including in-country testing availability and current travel restrictions for
U.S. citizens.'' The agency said approximately 80% of countries will now carry
the "Do not travel'' label, a level 4. Today, just 34 of 209 countries, or
about 16% are rated a level 4. Nearly 150 countries, or about 70%, fall into
level 3. The State Department said the
pandemic continues to pose "unprecedented risks'' to travelers. "In
light of those risks, the Department of State strongly recommends U.S. citizens
reconsider all travel abroad.'' The increased alert level comes as the number
of vaccinated Americans is increasing and COVID restrictions are being lifted
in many states and in some countries. Iceland, Croatia, Greece and Israel are
among the countries welcoming or about to welcome vaccinated Americans.
In early April, the CDC said
fully vaccinated Americans can resume domestic and international travel at low
risk to themselves. But it noted that international travel poses additional
risks given the spread of new COVID-19 variants. Despite the new guidance for
vaccinated travelers, the CDC says people should stay home. "CDC is not
recommending travel at this time due to the number of rising cases,'' director
Rochelle Walensky said at a White House briefing in early April. Millions of
Americans are ignoring the advice, with travel rising steadily this spring,
according to Transportation Security Administration screening numbers and
optimism about bookings from airline executives.
^ This new travel warning may be
too little too late. Americans are getting vaccinated and will start travelling
more internationally soon. ^
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