The U.S. State Department is warning against international travel as it plans to add dozens of countries to its highest travel advisory classification to stem the spread of COVID-19.

In total, Reuters reported about 80% of the world is expected to be raised to Level 4, adding nearly 130 countries to the State Department’s highest designation.

Currently, the department classifies 34 countries as “Level 4: Do Not Travel,” including Brazil, Iraq, Syria, Russia, North Korea, and Kenya. Now, the State Department plans to add scores more, which it said would put the department more in line with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendations by destination.

For its part, the CDC classifies 141 destinations as “Level 4: COVID-19 Very High.”

Video: Federal Advisory Committee Holding Emergency Meeting On Next Steps For J&J Vaccine (CBS Miami)

• WEB EXTRA: Inter Miami CF Co-Owner David Beckham Surprises Health Care Workers

  CBS Miami
  

• Miami Native Jorge 'Gamebred' Masvidal Has Sights On UFC Gold

  CBS Miami
  

• Most Broward Drive-Thru Vaccine Sites Ditching Need For Appointments

  CBS Miami
  

• BSO Confirms Deputy-Involved Shooting At North Lauderdale Strip Mall

  CBS Miami
  

• Miami-Dade PD Investigating Officer-Involved Shooting In Hialeah Gardens

  CBS Miami
  

• Every Day Is Earth Day At Dolphins Plus MMR

  CBS Miami
  

• 19-Year-Old Macey Brietenback Rings Transplant Bell At Holtz Children's Hospital

  CBS Miami
  

• Hammocks Community Association President Accused Of Diverting Over $100K For Personal Use

  CBS Miami
  

• Inter Miami CF Ready To Kick Off Season Against LA Galaxy

  CBS Miami
  

• Jackson Health Teams Up With Colleges To Get Students Vaccinated Against COVID

  CBS Miami
  

• Rolling Loud Music Fest Returns To Hard Rock Stadium In 2021

  CBS Miami
  

• Missing California Tourist Angela Morrisey Found In Medley

  CBS Miami
  

• COVID Stats Snapshot 4-15-21

  CBS Miami
  

• Study: Benefits Of Vaccination, Despite Recent Blood Clot Concerns, Outweigh Risks Of Getting COVID

  CBS Miami
  

• Miami-Dade, Broward Schools To Follow CDC Guidelines On Masks Despite Florida Education Commissioner's Contrary Position

  CBS Miami
  

• Man Hospitalized After Confrontation With Hollywood Police

  CBS Miami
  

• 
  WEB EXTRA: Inter Miami CF Co-Owner David Beckham Surprises Health Care Workers
  Inter Miami CF co-owner David Beckham surprised Broward Health health care workers on Friday working at the COVID-19 vaccination site located at DRV PNK stadium, the home stadium for the MLS team.
  
  
  CBS Miami
  

• 
  Miami Native Jorge 'Gamebred' Masvidal Has Sights On UFC Gold
  CBS4's Jessica Vallejo went one-on-one with the UFC's BMF champion and welterweight title contender. Read more: https://cbsloc.al/3mQsZXg
  
  
  CBS Miami
  

• Most Broward Drive-Thru Vaccine Sites Ditching Need For Appointments
  CBS4's Jessica Vallejo reports the race to vaccinate South Florida. Read more: https://cbsloc.al/3doNNC5
  
  
  CBS Miami
  

“As travelers face ongoing risks due COVID-19, we have updated our Travel Advisories to better reflect @CDC’s science-based Travel Health Notices,” the State Department tweeted on Monday. “We also considered logistics like testing availability and travel restrictions for U.S. citizens.”

The decision comes weeks after the CDC announced that fully vaccinated people can travel with low risk to themselves, including internationally, and do not need to quarantine when they return home unless required by their local jurisdiction. Those who return from an international trip are still required to get tested within three days of boarding a flight to the U.S., regardless of their vaccination status, and should still get re-tested upon returning home.

The State Department, which lifted its Level 4: Global Health Advisory against international travel in August 2020, now assesses countries on a country-by-country basis, much like it did pre-pandemic.

A spokesperson for Airlines for America, which represents major U.S. airlines, told Reuters “the U.S. airline industry has been a strong advocate for the development of a risk-based, data-driven roadmap for restoring international travel.”

The spokesperson added the group continues “to urge the federal government to transparently establish the criteria – including clear metrics, benchmarks, and a timeline – for reopening international markets.”

Alison Fox is a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure. When she’s not in New York City, she likes to spend her time at the beach or exploring new destinations and hopes to visit every country in the world. Follow her adventures on Instagram.

Source: Read Full Article