The State Department said Monday that it would begin adding most countries to it’s highest level travel advisory amid growing numbers of coronavirus infections overseas, The Washington Post reports.
The department is expected to designate 80% of countries worldwide with a “Level 4: Do Not Travel” advisory, up from 16% of countries that are on the advisory now.
“This alignment better reflects the current, unpredictable, and ever-evolving threat posed by covid-19,” the department said in an email. “We continue to strongly recommend U.S. citizens reconsider all travel abroad, and postpone their trips if possible.”
Advisory system updated:
The department told reporters the change doesn’t “imply a reassessment of the current health situation in a given country” but reflects a change in the system that will weigh data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention more heavily.
These changes include prioritizing “logistical factors” like the availability of coronavirus testing and travel restrictions for US citizens.
Americans will still be able to travel to the countries but are advised to review travel information about the risks posed by visiting certain countries.
CDC holds off travel recommendation:
The CDC said earlier this month that fully vaccinated people can travel with low risk of infection but the agency does not recommend travel.
The agency’s website urges Americans to delay international travel until more people are vaccinated.
“Fully vaccinated travelers are less likely to get and spread covid-19,” the website says. “However, international travel poses additional risks and even fully vaccinated travelers are at increased risk for getting and possibly spreading new COVID-19 variants.”
