The U.S. is adding more countries to its “do not travel” list, which now numbers close to 90 countries and includes some of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday added Sweden, Malta and Moldova to its level-four COVID-19 advisory category, the highest level in its ranking of destinations for the coronavirus. Level four is for countries with a “very high” rate of COVID-19. The CDC tells U.S. residents to “avoid travel” to those destinations, and to make sure they’re fully vaccinated if they have to go.
Also at level four are such popular destinations as the UK, Ireland, Greece, Italy, Spain, Croatia, The Netherlands, Portugal, South Africa, Russia, Singapore, Barbados, Belize and Antigua & Barbuda.
The CBC says France, Britain, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece and Malta all registered a record number of new cases on Tuesday.
The CDC on Tuesday added Argentina and Brunei to its level three category, which indicates a “high” level of the virus. U.S. residents are told to make sure they’re fully vaccinated before travelling to level three countries, and that unvaccinated travellers should avoid nonessential travel to those destinations.
Canada is one of 44 countries at level three on the CDC scale.
The U.S. on Tuesday bumped Cuba to level two, along with Gabon and Guatemala. Residents are advised to make sure they’re fully vaccinated before visiting a level two country.
There are 41 countries in the CDC’s level one COVID category, which also advises full vaccination for would-be visitors. Among the destinations at level one are Hong Kong, Japan, India, China, Fiji, St. Bart’s and the British Virgin Islands.
Canada’s travel advisory system is based on security and safety and isn’t focused on COVID-19 conditions in other countries.
