Countries added to ‘High-Risk’ category by CDC
The CDC recently made a change to its risk categories, adding Guatemala, Morocco and Sweden to the Level 3 “high-risk” category. Level 3 is the -highest level, and applies to places that have had more than 100 cases per 100,000 residents in the last 28 days. Meanwhile, Level 2 and Level 1 are considered “moderate” and “low” risk respectively. Moreover, all three additions to the list were previously at Level 2.
Meanwhile, Level 4, which was formerly the highest risk category now only applies to special circumstances, such as extremely high case counts. It also applies in the case of a new variant of concern or during a healthcare infrastructure collapse. At this stage, there are no countries listed on Level 4 so far.
Which destinations are on Level 3?
With the summer travel season in full swing, despite flight cancellations, most EU nations have been stuck at Level 3 for months. However, as of July 5, the following European destinations are still on the list.
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Ireland
- Italy
- The Netherlands
- Norway
- Portugal
- Spain
- United Kingdom
However, EU destinations are not the only popular spots stuck at Level 3. The following countries around the world are still listed in the Level 3 high-risk category:
- Brazil
- Canada
- Costa Rica
- Malaysia
- Mexico
- South Korea
- Thailand
- Turkey
The CDC advises travelers heading to a Level 3 destination to ensure they are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations. This means having the full dose of initial vaccines, plus any boosters that apply.
CDC and Level 2
Currently, destinations on the Level 2: COVID-19 moderate list have reported from 50 to 100 cases per 100,000 residents in the last 28 days. On Tuesday, the CDC move three destinations to the list as follows:
- Jordan
- Lebanon
- North Macedonia
Meanwhile, this is bad news for Jordan and Lebanon, both of which had previously been at Level 1. However, for North Macedonia, this move was a positive one, as they were formerly at Level 3.
Level 1: Low risk
Meanwhile, Level 1 is the lowest-risk category and is for destinations that have had 49 or fewer cases per 100,000 residents in the past 28 days. Only two small, island destinations were added on Tuesday, namely Saba and Saint Pierre and Miquelon
The tiny Caribbean island of Saba had been at Level 2, so this is a real bonus. Meanwhile, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, a French archipelago south of Newfoundland, Canada, was formerly at Level 3.
Unknown category
The CDC recommends against travel where the COVID-19 risk is unknown. These are of unknown risk due to a lack of information. Four destinations were added to this category this week as follows:
- Haiti
- Hungary
- Iran
- Mozambique
Iran, Haiti and Mozambique had previously been on Level 1, while the Eastern Europe destination of Hungary was previously on Level 3. Meanwhile, CDC advises against travel to these destinations due to the fact that risks are unknown. Moreover, other locations on the unknown list include Macau, the Maldives and French Polynesia.