The US State Department has issued 15 new travel advisories this week as part of its ongoing efforts to keep US travelers safe around the world.
Each travel advisory warning comes with a warning level, which ranges from Level 1, which serves as the least severe warning level, to Level 4, which is the most severe warning level and tells travelers explicitly not to visit a specific destination.
Whilst there is no clear-cut way to determine a country’s travel advisory level, a range of factors, from health issues to crime, are considered before a final level is given.
As well as a warning from the State Department, each travel advisory update also features a Travel Health Notice from the CDC. Like the State Department’s warnings, the CDC’s Travel Health Notices (THN) also range from Level 1 to 4, with Level 1 indicating a low level of Covid-19 in a country and Level 4 representing a very high level of Covid-19. The primary criteria for a country’s THN is as follows:
- Level 4 Very High – more than 500 new cases over past 28 days per 100,000 population
- Level 3 High – between 100-500 new cases over past 28 days per 100,000 population
- Level 2 Moderate between – 50-99 new cases over past 28 days per 100,000 population
- Level 1 Low – fewer than 50 new cases over past 28 days per 100,000 population
The full range of criteria can be found here.
Here’s a closer look at the new travel advisory warnings issued by the State Department this week, including why they were given and what their Travel Health Notice from the CDC is.
Level 4 Countries
Madagascar has been handed a Level 4 Travel Advisory by the State Department, citing both Covid-19 and crime as the reasons why. The country has not been given a THN, indicating an unknown level of Covid-19 in the country.
Hong Kong has been designated as a Level 4 country due to the arbitrary enforcement of local laws and Covid-19-related restrictions, as well as the risk of parents and children being separated. Hong Kong also has a Level 1 THN, indicating low levels of Covid-19 in the country.
Haiti is a Level 4 country due to kidnapping, crime, and civil unrest. The country also has a Level 1 THN, indicating low levels of Covid-19.
The French West Indies are also considered a Level 4 destination, with travelers told not to visit due to health and safety measures and COVID-related conditions. The islands that make up the French West Indies have been issued either Level 3 or 4 Travel Health Notices by the CDC.
Burma (Myanmar) has a Level 4 travel advisory, with travelers warned not to visit due to areas of civil unrest and armed conflict. The Covid-19 situation in the country is not a concern, with the country receiving a Level 1 THN from the CDC.
Burkina Faso is a Level 4 destination, with warnings not to travel due to Covid-19, terrorism, crime, and kidnapping. Burkina Faso has no THN, due to there being an unknown level of Covid-19 in the country.
Level 3 Countries
Saudi Arabia is a Level 3 country, with its page warning of both the threat of missile and drone attacks on civilian facilities and of terrorism. The country carries a Level 1 THN, due to its low level of Covid-19.
The latest update also sees the Philippines as a Level 3 destination, with travelers asked to reconsider travel due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping. The threat of Covid-19 is low, with the country receiving a Level 1 THN.
Level 3 country Guyana’s page warns of the threat of crime and Covid-19. The country carries a Level 2 THN, indicating a moderate level of Covid-19.
Egypt is also a Level 3 country, with its page warning travelers of terrorism and Covid-19. Its Level 3 THN indicates a high level of Covid-19 within the country.
China has been handed a Level 3 travel advisory due to arbitrary enforcement of local laws and Covid-19-related restrictions. However, the country’s Level 1 THN indicates a low level of Covid-19 in the country.
Level 2 Countries
Jordan carries a Level 2 travel advisory warning due to terrorism, with its page warning of an increased threat in specific locations. The CDC has also determined that the country has a high level of Covid-19.
Bangladesh is a Level 2 country due to crime, terrorism, and kidnapping, but carries a Level 1 THN from the CDC.
Level 1 Countries
Both Saint Kitts and Nevis and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are Level 1 countries according to both the State Department and the CDC, with no specific threats or risks highlighted.
