CDC Adds Another Round of Destinations to Highest COVID-19 Advisory List

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) this week added another round of destinations to its highest-risk COVID-19 travel category.

The additions, which came shortly after the CDC added Australia last week, were all upgraded because of rising COVID-19 cases (Level 4 includes countries with more than 500 new cases over the past 28 days per 100,000 population).

The new Level 4 destinations include a number of Caribbean stalwarts—Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, St. Bart’s, and St. Martin—along with Colombia, Fiji, Peru, Romania, Tunisia, the UAE, and more.

“Avoid travel to these destinations. If you must travel to these destinations, make sure you are fully vaccinated before travel,” the CDC’s Level 4 warning reads.

More than 85 destinations currently fall into that Level 4 category including Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

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.

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