Vaccine progress and dropping caseloads in some countries are pointing toward a return to travel. However, as airlines resume flights to global destinations, are coronavirus travel regulations and warnings easing up too? Here's what you need to know.
U.S. Issues More Than 115 ‘Do Not Travel’ Warnings
The United States State Department recently issued new travel advisories. They warn U.S. citizens against traveling to over 115 different countries and territories in the world due to what they've called ‘ongoing risks’ due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The U.S. travel warning now includes Canada, Mexico, Germany, and the U.K., with a Level 3 warning for China, Australia, and Iceland.
Japan has also joined this list, due to a rising number of people being diagnosed with coronavirus infections.
However, many countries around the world are also opening their borders, especially to vaccinated travelers. The European Union is expected to allow vaccinated U.S. travelers starting this summer. So why is the State Department issuing new warnings? It reflects changing policy, not necessarily higher risk.
Why Are Coronavirus Travel Regulations Changing?
According to a cached version of the advisory site, only a week ago, only 33 countries were on the list for U.S. travelers to not visit. However, the new warnings aren't new threats; they're simply the State Department catching up to align with the CDC. The U.S. State Department has now aligned its travel advisory system with the CDC's travel advisory system.
The State Department has announced that the countries subject to high-level travel restrictions are now mainly on par with those advised by the CDC.
The new list of level four countries includes about 80% of the world's population (currently, 150 locations).
The CDC also has a four-tier system. The system is in correlation with the State Department. They may add countries to Level 4 with "a very high level of COVID-19."
But as popular destinations like Mexico, Canada, Aruba, and Turks and Caicos are expected to be added to the list, the question is, why? And why now?
The State Department had previously not been in sync with the CDC's advice on international travel. These new warnings set the standard for our current state during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The State Department Has Updated their System to Reflect COVID-19
Initially, the State Department divided international travel into four levels for their advisory system:
1. Normal precautions: to exercise normal caution
2. Increased caution: to exercise increased caution
3. Reconsider Travel: don't go abroad without careful consideration first
4. Do not travel
With this new alignment with the CDC, you'll see 80% of these countries labeled by the State Department as "reconsider" all international travel for Americans.
The Department of State changed its alert status to reflect the nearly 20 million COVID-19 cases that pose "unprecedented risks" worldwide.
Even though global cases are still significantly high, the State Department has stated on its frequently asked questions page, "This does not necessarily indicate a change to the current state of health in any given country. We are adjusting our system to give more weight to CDC's existing assessments. We continue to strongly recommend U.S. citizens reconsider all travel abroad and postpone their trips if possible."
“We work closely with CDC to obtain their latest Travel Health Notification information and routinely review safety and security conditions in destinations across the world. We update destination-specific information when appropriate.”
Risk for vaccinated people traveling both domestically and internationally is fairly low according to the latest data, although how protective vaccines are against all variants is unknown. The new advisories reflect the State Department's effort to align with the CDC, rather than dramatically increased risk. However, advisories and health information change frequently, so U.S. citizens are urged to check out the latest Travel Advisory Levels of the Department of State website.
Interstate Coronavirus Travel Restrictions
While restrictions lift domestically, the CDC advises that it's still better to keep yourself safe from COVID-19 and avoid traveling if you have not been vaccinated. Travel is considered safe for vaccinated people.
The guidance applies to travel within the United States and its territories.
Conclusion: Can You Now Travel In the United States and Abroad?
COVID-19 travel is easing up in some ways: more vaccinated citizens means some countries will allow those to travel for business and pleasure. Domestically, more vaccinations mean many states are easing restrictions and public capacity rates.
The ease of regulations allows for more get-togethers and more business to stimulate the economy. Expect to see capacity restrictions ease this summer in many states and for more people to travel domestically as U.S. citizens become vaccinated. We will keep you updated on the latest restrictions and requirements here on the Skip blog.
More On Coronavirus Travel
Are you vaccinated? Make sure you keep checking our travel list of where you can go; we also have a post that covers the travel requirements for every country, regardless of vaccine status.
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