The State Department keeps a list of travel advisories for the world’s countries. Until recently, only about 30 of them were at Level 4: “Do not travel.” Today, an update brings more of them up to that level, due mainly to coronavirus risk.
Reuters reports the State Department expects to put about 130 countries on the level 4 list. The dates show that about 60 countries were updated to level 4 today, with several others bumped to level 3 (“Reconsider travel”) and level 2 (“Exercise increased caution”). If the Reuters report is correct, more changes should be expected.
According to a State Department statement, Reuters says, the increased advisories are not because the countries have become more dangerous, but rather because the State Department has decided to “adjust” their ratings to take CDC assessments into account.
The CDC keeps its own list of COVID-19 travel recommendations by country, with around 150 nations at Level 4 (“COVID-19 very high”).
In addition, the U.S. has suspended entry into the country from non-citizens who have recently been to China, Iran, the multi-country “European Schengen area,” the UK, Ireland, Brazil, and South Africa. More information about these proclamations and exceptions to those rules can be found on the CDC’s international travel page.
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The CDC still recommends Americans avoid traveling internationally unless they are vaccinated. And if you do travel while fully vaccinated, you should get a COVID test three to five days after returning home.
