What Countries Are Level 2 Travel Advisory
While the US is among the countries recording the highest numbers of new COVID-19 cases worldwide, Europe is fast becoming a COVID-19 hotspot. Last week the region accounted for 60% of all new coronavirus cases worldwide, the New York Times reports, but some countries are faring worse than others, including the Netherlands. It was designated a "high-risk" country due to rising cases and deaths, and Americans are now urged to avoid traveling there, regardless of vaccination status. The UK also has some of the highest new case numbers and it remains at Level 4 in the latest round of travel advisory updates, as well as popular destinations such as Ireland, Greece and Costa Rica.
The advisories aim to inform US residents about risks associated with traveling overseas, so people can make better-informed decisions about travel and enjoy relatively safe trips. If you plan to travel soon, here's what you need to know about the latest travel guidelines.
What is a travel advisory?
The ongoing risks associated with COVID-19, particularly as new variants emerge, present challenges and uncertainties for travel. To make the experience a little less confusing, the Department of State has aligned its security travel advisories with the CDC's science-based Travel Health Notices to warn travelers about dangers and COVID-19 threats overseas.
Level 4 travel advisory
Level 4 is the highest alert. Countries that register more than 500 new cases of COVID-19 over the past 28 days per 100,000 population are designated to the CDC's Level-4 list. Under CDC guidelines, people are asked to "avoid travel" to Level 4 destinations—but if they must travel, they should be fully vaccinated.
The Department of State takes this information into account, also looking at factors such as political instability, natural disasters and the threat of terrorism or violent crime. "[Level 4] is the highest advisory level due to greater likelihood of life-threatening risks," the Department explains. In the context of COVID-19, Americans are urged to avoid travel to these places due to increased infection rates and COVID-19 variants.
What countries are at Level 4?
Netherlands
The Dutch government is meeting today to discuss reintroducing lockdown measures to curb rising COVID-19 infection rates as per Dutch News. The publication reports that case numbers "are reaching record levels" and some entertainment venues could close, while hospitality businesses could be forced to cut back operating hours. As of October 22, 2021, the Netherlands only permits vaccinated Americans to enter.
Singapore
From October 19, Singapore has permitted quarantine-free entry to travelers from the US, UK, Canada, France and more as its vaccination rates nudges closer to 85%. But while Singapore is welcoming travelers, the US government is advising Americans not to go. That's because case numbers have hit the "high-risk" threshold in recent weeks.
Greece
Greece is registering a record number of COVID-19 case numbers. According to Reuters, Monday's tally was the highest number of new cases since the pandemic began As per Greece's entry rules, people traveling to Greece from the US must present a negative test before arrival, if they are not fully vaccinated.
Other destinations at Level 4 include the Ireland, the UK, Cuba, Costa Rica, Israel, Switzerland, Turkey, Barbados, Belize, Aruba, French Polynesia, the Cayman Islands, Faroe Islands, Luxembourg and more.
Level 3 advisory
The CDC advises unvaccinated Americans to avoid nonessential travel to Level 3 destinations, where risks associated with COVID-19 remain high. Some popular destinations designated Level 3 include Italy, Cyprus, Canada, the Netherlands, Morocco, Chile, Croatia, Colombia, Egypt, Sweden, Mexico, Japan, New Zealand, Sweden, Denmark, Australia and—most recently—Thailand, Panama, Portugal, Spain, and Brazil.
Level 2 advisory
Level 2 places are considered "COVID-19 moderate" destinations by the CDC. When traveling to these places people are asked to "practice enhanced precautions". The CDC also urges unvaccinated people who are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 to avoid nonessential travel to Level 2 destinations. Some countries currently at Level 2 include Peru, South Korea, India, Zimbabwe, the Czech Republic, Nepal and the United Arab Emirates.
Level 1 advisory
Level 1 destinations are considered "low-risk" countries. People traveling to these places are asked to "exercise normal precautions" by the Department of State. Given the scale of the pandemic, not many countries are considered low-risk. Some countries at Level 1 include Djibouti, Senegal and Rwanda, which recently relaxed entry rules for vaccinated arrivals.
Should I cancel my trip to a Level 4 country?
The answer is up to you. Travel advisories are guidelines, not rules. You are still permitted to travel to these places, but if you choose to go a country the government is advising you to avoid, you do so at your own risk. In some extreme cases—that is, countries where there is civil unrest, widespread violence and political instability—the Department warns that some consular services may not be available to you and advises travelers to "always have a contingency plan for emergency situations".
If I do travel, do I need to quarantine?
It depends on your destination. These travel advisories and travel health notices are set out by the US government and the CDC, not the governments of the individual countries. For example, Ireland is at Level 4 but the Irish government is permitting Americans to travel there.
Will my travel insurance cover me in a Level 4 country?
How often do these advisories change?
The Department of State confirms it reviews and updates travel advisories "as needed, based on security and safety information."
How to resist the urge to travel during the coronavirus pandemic
Anyone considering heading abroad should read the entire travel advisory for their destination at Travel.State.gov; in addition to the destination's border restrictions and entry requirements—and stay up-to-date on local public health guidelines.
This article was first published on August 6, 2020 and updated on November 11, 2021
Buy USA travel guides
Make the most of your time in the USA with Lonely Planet's range of travel guides. Be the architect of your own trip as you discover the best things to do in the USA through insider tips, suggested itineraries and handy maps.
Buy USA travel guidesWhat Countries Are Level 2 Travel Advisory
Source: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/cdc-covid-travel-warning-by-destination
0 Response to "What Countries Are Level 2 Travel Advisory"
Post a Comment