U.S. CDC Adds Mexico to Highest COVID-19 Advisory List

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is adding another major destination to its highest COVID-19 advisory list.

On Monday, the CDC added Mexico, along with a number of other countries including Brazil and Singapore, to its Level Four: Very High COVID-19 advisory list. The additions join a list that now numbers almost 130 different destinations, all on the list because of growing COVID cases (Level 4 includes countries with more than 500 new cases over the past 28 days per 100,000 population).

“Avoid travel to Mexico. If you must travel to Mexico, make sure you are vaccinated and up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines before travel,” the CDC’s warning reads.

Other destinations that currently fall into that Level 4 category include Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom. It also includes a number of Caribbean destinations, which are among the most recent additions to the list. 

While the CDC’s list is simply a recommendation for American travelers, moving Mexico, which has been one of the most resilient tourist destinations during the pandemic, 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.

Last month, TMR’s Paul Ruden wrote on How Travel Advisors Can Approach these warnings, including recent warnings on Canada and on Cruise Ship Travel.