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Despite the United States reopening for travel in 6 days, the U.S. State Department still has 79 countries listed on its Level 4 ‘Do Not Travel’ list.
The CDC and U.S. State Department recommends U.S travelers avoid these destinations because of high COVID-19 cases and stress the need for U.S travelers to be fully vaccinated if they’re flying there.
The CDC currently categorizes travelers into four levels:
- Level 4: COVID-19 Very High
- Level 3: COVID-19 High
- Level 2: COVID-19 Moderate
- Level 1: COVID-19 Low
The U.S. State Department and the CDC now work together and issue the same level of Travel Advisory for each destination.
The U.S. State Department also has four levels
- Level 4: Do Not Travel
- Level 3: Reconsider Travel
- Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
- Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
Here are some popular destinations currently under the Level 4 ‘Do Not Travel’ list.
1. The United Kingdom
The United Kingdom reopened to fully vaccinated U.S travelers in the summer, but the U.S. State Department still has the United Kingdom on its Level 4: Do Not Travel list because of high COVID-19 cases.
England, shortly followed by the other home nations, scrapped all COVID-19 restrictions on July 19, 2021. Although cases of COVID-19 haven’t hugely increased, the current 7-day case average is 40,565.
The U.K decided to live with COVID-19 before many nations due to a rapid vaccination rollout. Fully vaccinated travelers must take a lateral flow test before their second day in the United Kingdom. If the test is negative, they must take a PCR test. If it’s still negative, they must self-isolate for 10 days.
2. Ireland
Ireland reopened its borders to fully vaccinated U.S tourists in the summer, but the U.S. State Department still places Ireland on its Level 4: Do Not Travel list due to high COVID-19 cases.
However, the current 7-day case average in Ireland remains relatively low. The current 7-day average is 2,245 cases, significantly lower than many nations.
Travelers can enter Ireland if they're fully vaccinated without testing or quarantine. Also, if travelers provide proof of recovery from COVID-19 in the previous 180 days, they don't need to undergo testing or quarantine.
3. The Bahamas
The Bahamas are a super popular destination for U.S travelers, yet the U.S. State Department still places the Bahamas on its Level 4: Do Not Travel list due to ‘high’ cases of COVID-19.
That said, the current 7-day average in the Bahamas is only 28 cases nationwide. The Bahamas has had 22,407 cases since the pandemic began.
Vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers can currently enter the Bahamas. Fully vaccinated travelers will need to take a PCR or antigen no more than 5 days before arriving, and unvaccinated travelers must take a COVID-19 swab test 5 days before arrival.
4. Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a very popular destination for Americans and has been since the pandemic began due to low COVID-19 entry restrictions. However, the U.S. State Department still places it on its Level 4: Do Not Travel list.
The current 7-day case average in Costa Rica is 495 cases nationwide, which is a large decrease from the summer.
Fully vaccinated travelers can enter the country without a travel policy, and they must provide evidence of full vaccination. Unvaccinated tourists must purchase a policy covering COVID-19 and quarantine if needed.
5. Barbados
Barbados is the perfect winter getaway for many American travelers this winter, but it remains on the U.S. State Departments Level 4: Do Not Travel list due to COVID-19 cases.
The current 7-day case average in Barbados is 348, which is the highest case average since the pandemic began (but still very low.)
Barbados recently scrapped quarantine on arrival for fully vaccinated tourists, but they’ll still need to provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 PCR test before arriving.
The Other 74 Nations On The CDC’S and U.S. State Department Level 4: Do Not Travel List
- Afghanistan
- Albania
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Armenia
- Aruba
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Belize
- Bermuda
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Botswana
- The British Virgin Islands
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Burkina Faso
- Burma (Myanmar)
- Burundi
- The Central African Republic
- Croatia
- Cuba
- Curaçao
- The Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Dominica
- Estonia
- French Guiana
- French Polynesia
- Georgia
- Greece
- Grenada
- Guadeloupe
- Guam
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Iran
- Iraq
- Isle of Man
- Israel
- Jersey (part of the UK)
- Kosovo
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Martinique
- Moldova
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- New Caledonia
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Papua New Guinea
- Réunion
- Romania
- Russia
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Saudi Arabia
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- Singapore
- Sint Maarten
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- Suriname
- Switzerland
- Thailand
- Turkey
- Ukraine
- Virgin Islands, U.S.
The remaining nations are in either level three, level two, or level one. Either way, the CDC and U.S. State Department still recommends against traveling to a vast portion of the world.
Read More:
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Christian
Thursday 4th of November 2021
I am surprised Iran is on that list.
Johnny Perez
Tuesday 2nd of November 2021
You mentioned 79 countries, BUT you didn't mentioned PHILIPPINES, can you please LET me know about THIS country
Kashlee Kucheran
Tuesday 2nd of November 2021
We didn't mention the Philippines in the article because it's not at a Level 4. It's currently at a Level 3, which is "Reconsider Travel" from the USA
Renee
Tuesday 2nd of November 2021
WOW! What is that? 79 Countries - means DO NOT travel ever. Here we'r going again...