CDC Adds More Destinations to Level Four: Do Not Travel List

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Monday added another six countries to its highest COVID-19 warning list.

The additions include South Korea, Azerbaijan, Belarus, French Polynesia, and more.

All destinations on the Level 4 list, which now totals more than 130, are there because of their COVID-19 rates (they have recorded more than 500 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents in the past 28 days).

Other destinations that currently fall into that Level 4 category include Australia, 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. 

Almost half of all countries on the list now fall into that highest level. For comparison, the lowest two levels total 11 countries combined, lists that include New Zealand, China, Falkland Islands, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

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.