CDC Adds Japan, More Destination to Highest Advisory List

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) still adding destinations to its highest COVID-19 advisory list, even as COVID-19 continues to decline in the U.S.

On Monday, the CDC added another round of destinations to its Level 4: Very High COVID-19 advisory list. Most notably, the CDC added Cuba, Israel, and Japan to the list this week, bringing the total amount of destinations under that advisory to almost 140 worldwide.

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 Mexico along with a number of Caribbean destinations, which are among the most recent additions to the list. 

All destinations that fall under that Level 4 advisory are there because they have recorded more than 500 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents in the past 28 days.

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.