CDC Adds Italy, Greenland to Level 4 Travel Advisory List Over COVID-19 Concerns

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Monday added more destinations, including two of the most popular international destinations for American travelers, to its Level 4: Very High COVID-19 travel list.

Italy and Greenland, along with Mauritius, has been added to the highest COVID-19 advisory list, a category of more than 80 countries that the CDC says Americans should “avoid travel” to. The list, aside from the new additions, also includes Denmark, Germany, Ireland, The Netherlands, Norway, South Africa, and more.

“Avoid travel to these destinations. If you must travel to these destinations, make sure you are fully vaccinated before travel,” the warning reads.

Italy, which suffered through the worst of the pandemic in November, reported 12,000 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, down from the 15,000 or so it had reported the week prior but still steadily up from its summer low last July according to Worldometers.

The destination, which has long been one of the most popular for Americans to travel to, was just named the top trending destination for 2022 by the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA).

Greenland, for its part, is in the midst of its largest spike in cases since the beginning of the pandemic. However, that country, which at just 56,000 or so people is the least densely populated region in the world, reported only 45 new cases on Monday, down from its peak of 124 on Nov. 29.

While the CDC’s list is simply a recommendation for American travelers, moving those countries to Level 4 raises the level of precautions that the CDC wants travelers to take.

For instance, the CDC is advising travelers who are considering entering Level 4 countries to be fully vaccinated with an FDA-authorized vaccine or a vaccine authorized by the WHO and to wear a facemask while traveling, social distance during their trip, and self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms.

If symptoms appear, the CDC is advising travelers to isolate and get tested.

For those who are unvaccinated, the CDC is recommending travelers get tested with a viral test 1-3 days prior to the trip, wear and mask while traveling, avoid crowded, and then get tested again 3-5 days after travel and stay home and self-quarantine for a full 7 days after travel.