CDC’s highest COVID-19 travel advisory list grows to more than half of world’s nations

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Monday added more countries to its travel advisory list, which has now expanded to include more than half of the world.

Around 130 nations have now been raised to the CDC’s highest COVID-19 warning, “Level 4: Very High,” including Armenia, Cuba, Israel, Japan, Libya, Oman and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The CDC recommends Americans “avoid travel to these destinations.” It adds, however, that “if you must travel to” a Level 4 country, “make sure you are fully vaccinated.”

The CDC last week had added Mexico, Brazil and Singapore to the list, citing high rates of COVID-19 infections.

According to CNN, a destination is placed at Level 4 when there are more than 500 cases per 100,000 residents registered in the past 28 days. 

The CDC has steadily added more and more countries to its “do not travel” list as the omicron variant swept through the globe. In January alone, it added 22 countries to its advisory list against travel.

Israel has been on the CDC’s Level 4 list since Jan. 18, CNN said, but is listed as a new entry in the “Level 4” lists as the agency now includes additional warnings  on Gaza and the West Bank.

Currently, there are 52 countries in its “Level 3: COVID-19 High” list, including India, Thailand and Vietnam. The CDC also advises travelers to make sure they are fully vaccinated before traveling to these destinations.

Unvaccinated travelers have been urged to avoid nonessential travel to these destinations.

There are only five countries currently at “Level 2: COVID-19 Moderate” and eight countries on its “Level 1: COVID-19 Low” list.