US to Ban Travel to Around 80% of Countries Worldwide

The US Department of State has announced that a study of its existing travel advisories will begin this week. It predicted a “huge rise” in the number of countries on its “do not travel” list as a result of this.

According to the department, the updated advisories would “better represent” the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) science-based travel warnings.

These take into account concerns concerning travelers’ welfare, as well as logistical considerations like in-destination testing availability and any existing US-specific travel restrictions.

This update would result in a large rise in the number of countries classified as Level 4: Do Not Travel, bringing the total number to approximately 80% of countries on the planet.

This does not mean a reevaluation of a country’s current health situation, but rather a shift in the State Department’s travel advisory framework to focus more on the CDC’s established epidemiological assessments.

As always, we’re keeping a close eye on conditions around the world and will update our destination-specific advice to US travelers as circumstances change.”

Due to the “unprecedented danger” posed by the pandemic to all travelers, US people are being “strongly advised” to reconsider all travel abroad.

Residents of the United Kingdom are officially prohibited from traveling to the United States, and the United Kingdom is also on the US’s “do not travel” list as a result of Covid-19.

The step comes as the speed of both countries’ Covid-19 vaccination programs has reawakened expectations for a US-UK travel corridor.

Early next month, the UK government will announce the countries that will be included on its “green list,” which will enable travel without the need to return to the UK for quarantine.

There has been no confirmation of which countries will be included on the list, although senior industry leaders have expressed optimism about the possibility of the United States being listed as green.