Working in close conjunction with the CDC, the Department of State has lifted the Global Level 4 Health Advisory, the highest level of travel advisory, initially put in place on March 19, 2020, advising U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19. The Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory urged Americans “in countries where commercial departure options remain available” to “arrange for immediate return to the United States, unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period.”
With the pandemic widespread in some countries and under control in others, the U.S. State Department is returning to its previous system of country-specific levels of travel advisories, with Levels from 1-4, to provide U.S. citizens with more detailed information about the health and safety status of each country. The fixed level 1 through 4 advisories for specific countries on Travel.State.gov provides more detailed information about the precise conditions in individual countries.
“This will also provide U.S. citizens more detailed information about the current status in each country,” the department said. “We continue to recommend U.S. citizens exercise caution when traveling abroad due to the unpredictable nature of the pandemic.”
“The Department of State has worked closely with the CDC since the start of the pandemic to align our public messages and travel advice and to keep Americans safe,” the State Department said. “The Department’s COVID-19 Travel Advisories are informed by CDC’s expert judgement of the health situation as well as other factors related to travel, infrastructure, healthcare resources, and potential closures and restrictions in the country which are important for U.S. citizens to consider.”
To stay apprised of current pandemic conditions stay connected via Travel.state.gov and through Facebook and Twitter. To receive timely alerts about evolving health and safety conditions around the world, enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program here.
For more updates on new protocols, visit Recommend’s Safe Travels page. Stories about future travel can be accessed at #AmazingDaysAhead.
