New Countries Moved to “High Risk” Category for Travel

On Monday, the US Agency for Disease Prevention and Control added five new travel destinations to its "high" risk category.

Belize in Central America, the Bahamas island in the North Atlantic, Montserrat, a hilly British overseas territory, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in the Caribbean, and southern Africa in Eswatini have all been moved to Level 3, or "serious" risk for Covid-19.

The Bahamas, Belize, Eswatini, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines were originally classified as Level 2, "moderate" risk locations. Montserrat has increased its risk level from Level 1 (low) to Level 2 (medium).

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its ratings system for measuring Covid-19 danger for travelers in April.

The Level 3 "serious" risk category has risen to the top of the risk ladder. Level 2 represents "medium" risk, whereas Level 1 represents "low" risk.

Level 4, which was previously the highest exposure category, is now only used for the extraordinary cases, such as exceptionally high case counts, the introduction of a rare variety of worry, or the breakdown of the health-care system. So yet, no locations have been assigned to Level 4 under the new method.

On Monday, the CDC elevated five locations to the "rising" risk category:

• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 

• Bahamas 

• Belize 

• Eswatini 

• Montserrat

Overall, the significant swings in status that marked this past holiday season and spring season during the first Omicron variant outbreak have not been witnessed in the last four weeks of warnings.

3rd level

Countries with more than 100 incidences per 100,000 population in the last 28 days are now classified as "Level 3: Covid-19 High."

With the summertime vacation season approaching, most of Europe has remained firmly stuck there. The following well-known European destinations were still at Level 3 as of May 23:

France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and the United Kingdom are all represented.

It isn't just European favorites who have reached Level 3. Several well-known travel spots across the world are included in the high-risk list, including:Brazil, Cosat Rica, Canada, South Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand are just a few of the countries represented.

On May 23, there were approximately 115 locations at Level 3. Roughly half of the 235 locations evaluated by the CDC are now classified as Level 3.

Before going to a Level 3 destination, the CDC recommends that you get your Covid-19 immunizations up to date. To be "up-to-date," you must have received all of your initial vaccines, as well as any boosters for that you are qualified

In the previous 28 days, Level 2 Destinations with the "Level 2: Covid-19 Medium" classification confirmed 50 to 100 Covid-19 incidences per 100,000 people. On Monday, three positions were promoted to this level:

• The island of Jamaica

• Mongolia 

• Kuwait

This was welcome news to Kuwait, which was demoted from Level 3 to Level 2. Jamaica and Mongolia have risen up one danger rating from "low" to "medium." On Monday, there were only about 20 spaces available at Level 2.

On the CDC's travel guidelines page, you may see the risk ratings for any global destination.

The CDC recommends deferring all overseas travel until you are completely immunized in its wider travel advice.

Check here if you're worried about a travel-related health issue that isn't related to Covid-19.

1st level

A location must have experienced 49 or less cases reported per 100,000 residents in the last 28 days to be classified as "Level 1: Covid-19 Low." On May 23, only one new destination was added to the category: Egypt.

Egypt had previously been classified as "unknown." As of Monday, Level 1 had over 55 entries.

Unknown

Finally, due to a lack of knowledge, the CDC has designated several destinations as "unknown" risk. These are typically, but not always, small, rural locations or areas where there is persistent fighting or turmoil.

On Monday, only Mauritania, which had previously been at Level 1, was added to this category.

Because the dangers are unknown, the CDC cautions against visiting these locations. French Polynesia, the Azores, Tanznia, and Cambodia are among the other countries in this group.

Risk levels are discussed by a medical professional.

As according CNN Healthcare Analyst Dr. Leana Wen, conveyance rates are merely "one guidepost" for visitors' own risk estimations.

We've entered "a phase inside the disease outbreak in which people have to make their own decisions on the basis on their medical circumstances and risk tolerance when it comes to contracting Covid-19," according to Wen, an emergency room doctor and university lecturer of health policies and strategy at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health.

According to Wen, there are other aspects to consider in regard to transmission rates.

"Another is what precautionary measures are needed and accompanied in the location that you're heading and afterwards the third is what are you going to plan to do once you're there. " Do you plan on visiting a number of sights as well as indoor bars? That's not the same as going somewhere else where you intend to spend the entire day on the beach and not engage with anyone. That's a significant difference. Those are two very distinct risk thresholds."

Vaccination is by far the most important travel safety measure, because unvaccinated visitors are more likely to fall ill and spread Covid-19 to others, according to Wen.

It's also crucial to determine what you'll do if you test positive while away from home. How easy is it to get a certification to return home and where will you stay?