U.S. to checklist 80% of environment as ‘Do Not Travel’

By Jennifer Hansler | CNN

The Condition Section introduced Monday that it would start off to update its journey advisories to a lot more carefully align with those from the Centers for Condition Control and Avoidance, a modify that “will consequence in a substantial increase in the range of international locations at Degree 4: Do Not Journey, to somewhere around 80% of international locations all over the world.”

“This does not imply a reassessment of the recent health circumstance in a provided region, but fairly reflects an adjustment in the Condition Department’s Vacation Advisory system to count a lot more on CDC’s present epidemiological assessments,” the section claimed in a media note.

The update to the State Department’s travel advisory method arrives as the environment continues to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic, which has now claimed more than 3 million life throughout the world.

In the note Monday, the department noted that “the COVID-19 pandemic proceeds to pose unprecedented pitfalls to vacationers.”

“In mild of individuals hazards, the Department of Point out strongly recommends U.S. citizens reconsider all journey abroad,” it claimed.

“As vacationers face ongoing risks thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Condition will start updating its Travel Advisories this 7 days to superior reflect the Facilities for Condition Manage and Prevention’s (CDC) science-based Journey Health Notices that outline latest issues influencing travelers’ health and fitness,” the Condition Division stated. “Our Advisories also get into account logistical things, which include in-country testing availability and existing travel constraints for U.S. citizens.”

“As always, we are intently monitoring situations all over the globe, and will on a regular basis update our spot-specific guidance to U.S. travelers as problems evolve,” it observed.