NOTE: This post usually updates on Tuesdays.
The Center For Disease Control (CDC) has updated its weekly list of high-risk countries. Fifteen popular countries have remained at or moved up to the very high-risk, level 4 countries. The list of country designations continues to be a moving target with some countries moving up the list and some moving down to lower categories.
The Delta Variant Is Still The Concern In Europe
While the World Health Organization (WHO) is studying the transmission of the Omicron variant, Delta is still predominant.
“It is yet to be seen how and whether the latest COVID-19 variant of concern Omicron will be more transmissible or more or less severe,“ WHO’s Regional Director for Europe Dr. Hans Kluge said at a news conference.
During the briefing, which focused on Europe and Central Asia, Kluge said that while the Omicron variant is “insight and on the rise,” it is the Delta variant that is the problem in the region right now.
“However we succeed against Delta today is a win over Omicron tomorrow before it eventually surges,” Kluge said, adding: “We are in the business of stabilizing a pandemic and that means not one variant at a time, but all variants at once.”
France has been hit hard by a surge of new infections while Germany is tightening entry for those entering the country and it is ramping up restrictions for its unvaccinated citizens.
Unvaccinated Americans Returning To the United States
If you are an American who is not vaccinated, returning to the United States will get more complicated. The new travel rules will make two significant changes:
- The testing window for return Covid testing will be reduced from three days down to one day. This means a Covid test was conducted 24 hours prior to departure.
- Unvaccinated travelers will be required to test again after they return to the United States. Where and when this test is to be performed has yet to be decided.
The new testing window for unvaccinated Americans can be problematic because you will need an approved test with a fast turnaround time for the results. You will have to show proof of a negative Covid test prior to boarding your flight.
Requirement for Proof of Negative COVID-19 Test or Recovery from COVID-19 for All Air Passengers Arriving in the United States can be found here.
Countries Moving Up To Level 4
Destinations that fall into the “Covid-19 very high” Level 4 category have had more than 500 cases per 100,000 residents in the past 28 days, according to CDC parameters. The Level 3 category applies to destinations that have had between 100 and 500 cases per 100,000 residents in the past 28 days.
Many popular countries have either initiated restrictions or will be implementing restrictions. Be sure to check on countries that you plan to visit for current or pending restrictions.
These countries have remained at level 4 from previously lower levels. The main reason this has happened is that the CDC has received more complete data on the actual conditions in those countries.
- Denmark
- Germany
- United Kingdom
The famous Munich Christmas Market has been cancelled for 2021 as it was cancelled last year.
Here are popular countries remaining at level 4. Many of the latest countries that remain at level 4 are the most popular vacation destinations in Europe due to a surge in the Delta variant.
- Andorra
- Barbados
- Cayman Islands
- Cyprus
- France
- Jordan
- Liechtenstein
- Malaysia
- Portugal
- Singapore
- Tanzania
- Turkey
More than 80 countries in total are classified as level 4 status this week.
These Countries Have Moved To Level 3
Four countries on the list this week have either improved or were downgraded. They are:
- Columbia – previously level 2
- Cuba – previously level 4
- Grenada – previously level 4
- Saint Kitts and Nevis – previously level 4
Countries That Have Changed To Level 2
- Bahrain – previously level 3
- Cape Verde – previously level – 3
- Fiji – previously level – 3
- Mali – previously level – 1
- Sao Tome and Principe – previously level 3
Countries Now Reported At Level 1
- Djibouti – previously level 2
Popular Countries With Unknown Risks
The following countries have insufficient data for the CDC to assign a risk level:
- Algeria
- Cambodia
- Macau
- Monaco
General Guidance
CDC guidance for Level 3 and Level 4 destinations urges unvaccinated travelers to avoid nonessential travel to those locations. The CDC also recommends avoiding all international travel until you are fully vaccinated.
The Full List And Travel Advisories
The full list along with travel advisories from the CDC can be found here. This list changes weekly so it might be a site to add to your travel bookmarks.
All air passengers coming to the United States, including U.S. citizens, are required to have a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before they board a flight to the United States. See the Frequently Asked Questions for more information.
Final Thoughts
The list of countries that the CDC maintains continues to change every week as more data is known. Some countries have improved and some have declined. Some countries including the United States improve and then fall into a state of decline. This CDC list and advisories are posted to help you make an educated decision on whether to travel or not.
The next update is scheduled for December 14, 2021.
