CDC adds "do not travel" warnings for 15 countries including more popular Caribbean destinations
With cases of omicron still surging, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is warning Americans not to travel to 15 additional countries, which include Jamaica, St. Barthelemy (St. Barts), St. Martin and Guadeloupe, all popular Caribbean destinations frequented by cruise ship passengers and resort-goers.
In its most recent list of Level Four: "Very High" risk destinations for contracting COVID-19, the CDC last week added:
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Dominican Republic
- Fiji
- Guadeloupe
- Jamaica
- Kuwait
- Mongolia
- Niger
- Peru
- Romania
- Saint Barthelemy
- Sint Maarten
- United Arab Emirates
Related: When will international travel return? A country-by-country guide to coronavirus recovery
The CDC warned of travel to 22 countries and territories the week before this warning, which included the Bahamas and much of the Caribbean, as well as Israel, Australia, Panama, Bolivia, Qatar and Bermuda. These new additions bring the agency's list of destinations to avoid to more than 100 including European destinations such as the U.K., Italy and Spain.
The CDC issues its highest Level Four warnings when the number of COVID-19 cases reaches a threshold of more than 500 cases per 100,000 people in a 28-day period. Different criteria is used for places with fewer than 100,000 people.
With this warning, the CDC is indicating that even if you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines you may still be at risk for getting and spreading COVID-19.
If you do travel, the CDC says to make sure you are fully vaccinated and follow all requirements set by airlines and your destination, such as mask wearing, proof of vaccination, testing or quarantine.