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United States Issues ‘Do Not Travel Warning’ For Spain And Other Countries

United States Issues ‘Do Not Travel Warning’ For Spain And Other CountriesAfter the recent excitement of the EU reopening to American travelers, they are now likely to be disappointed. Monday this week saw the United States issuing a “do not travel” warning for Spain and other EU countries, as rising cases of the Delta variant cause concern. Restrictions will also be maintained on entry to the US from Spain and other Schengen countries. This action sidesteps pressure by Europe to restart much-needed tourism in the bloc.

US issues travel warning on Spain over Delta variant

It was in early June that Spain reopened to fully vaccinated American travelers and included the US on its list of non-EU countries that are exempt from all COVID-19 travel restrictions. However, as reported by Reuters, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters on Monday, “We will maintain existing travel restrictions at this point.”

“The more transmissible Delta variant is spreading both here and around the world,” she added.

Currently, the US bans non-US citizens who have recently visited the UK, as well as 26 Schengen nations, including Spain, along with Brazil, Ireland, India, Iran China and South Africa.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also recommend avoiding travel to Spain and Portugal, both of which are popular destinations for American travelers, over the growing cases of COVID-19.

The same guidance has been issued for Cyprus and Kyrgyzstan, a week after the government recommended against travel to the UK, a top destination for US travelers after Mexico and Canada. These “do not travel” advisories come after the CDC updated its travel advisory for Spain and other countries to “Level Four: Very High.”

US Issues ‘Do Not Travel Warning’ For Spain And Other Countries

COVID cases rising in the US

Meanwhile, Spain and EU countries aren’t alone, as COVID-18 cases have also been rising in the US. This is believed to be due to the Delta variant spreading among people who have not been vaccinated. According to Psaki, the White House has projected that COVID cases will continue to rise in the weeks ahead.

When asked if travel restrictions will help, she said, “Yes, it is the dominant variant in the United States. That doesn’t mean that having more people who have the Delta variant is the right step.”

In June, the European Union reopened to American travelers, typically requiring proof of vaccine, or negative test results. There was much pressure from tourism-dependent countries such as Spain, Italy and Greece that feared another quiet summer season.

Meanwhile, EU leaders including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, had asked the US to reciprocate and President Joe Biden responded on July 15, saying he would have an answer “within the next several days.”

Fauci says the US is ‘going in the wrong direction’

Despite the decision to stop travel to certain EU destinations, Dr. Anthony Fauci warned on Sunday that the US is “going in the wrong direction.” He then repeated appeals for hesitant Americans to get vaccinated.

According to Fauci, COVID is certainly in retreat among the vaccinated. He told CNN, “It’s like you have two kinds of America. You have the very vulnerable unvaccinated part and you have the really relatively protected vaccinated part.”

Unfortunately, neither part will be able to safely travel to Spain right now.

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