Travelers researching international trips during the coronavirus pandemic have been confronted with conflicting government advice.
The State Department is about to clear up some of that confusion, and the news is not good for travelers pondering a trip abroad.
The State Department on Monday said it is raising the alert level for a significant number of countries this week as it factors the CDC s COVID data more heavily into its rating system. As travelers face ongoing risks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of State will begin updating its travel advisories this week to better reflect the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s science-based Travel Health Notices that outline current issues affecting travelers’ health, the department said in a statement. Our advisories also take into account logistical factors, including in-country testing availability and current travel restrictions for U.S. citizens.
State Department to list 80% of countries as Do Not Travel as it updates advisory system to align with CDC By: CNN
By Jennifer Hansler, CNN (CNN) The State Department announced Monday that it would begin to update its travel advisories to more closely align with those from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a change that will result in a significant increase in the number of countries at Level 4: Do Not Travel, to approximately 80% of countries worldwide. This does not imply a reassessment of the current health situation in a given country, but rather reflects an adjustment in the State Department s Travel Advisory system to rely more on CDC s existing epidemiological assessments, the department said in a media note.
The U.S. Department of State will add a slew of countries to its Do Not Travel List later this week because of coronavirus danger. Image: Paul J. Richards/AFP via Getty Images
The U.S. State Department on Monday announced plans to expand travel advisories, urging U.S. citizens to stay home as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose unprecedented risks around the globe.
The updated travel guidelines are intended to curb visits to approximately 80% of countries worldwide which are currently experiencing dramatic spikes in cases, the department said in a statement. New guidance is expected be released later this week.