CDC lowers COVID-19 warnings for Canada, Argentina, Jamaica
Fran Golden is an award-winning cruise journalist whose work regularly appears in Bloomberg, Travel + Leisure, Afar and other travel outlets. She is the author of several cruise and travel books, including “100 Things To Do In Alaska Before You Die." Fran lives in Cleveland, Ohio. Although fond of lake Erie, her first love is the sea.
April 09, 2022
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3 min read
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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has lowered its Level 4 "very high" COVID-19 travel warnings for 14 countries including Canada and Argentina. At the same time, Jamaica is among five countries previously listed as "moderate" risk and now designated as "low" risk for contracting COVID-19.
The warnings are based on the likelihood of contracting COVID-19 while traveling. At all warning levels, the federal health agency recommends travelers be fully vaccinated.
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New levels of warnings
In addition to Canada and Argentina, the destinations with newly lowered warnings from "very high" to "high" risk are Belize, Panama, Grenada and Saint Lucia as well as Oman, Azerbaijan, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Iran, Libya, Paraguay and Suriname.
Only a few weeks ago, Canada dropped a COVID-19 testing requirement for fully vaccinated travelers entering the country by air, land or sea.
The CDC also lowered its warnings for five countries from "high" to "moderate" risk. The countries are the Dominican Republic, South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini and Iraq.
Low-risk destinations
In Jamaica, with its new "low" risk status, the CDC warns that travelers who are up to date with vaccines "may still be at risk for getting and spreading COVID-19." The agency further suggests, "Anyone 2 years or older should properly wear a well-fitting mask in indoor public spaces."
The CDC also reduced the risk level for contracting COVID-19 from "moderate" to "low" in Morocco, Nepal, Pakistan, Ghana and Malawi.
COVID-19 status unknown in Ukraine
Three countries – Ukraine, Greenland and French Guiana – were moved from "high risk" to "unknown," meaning the CDC is not able to determine the level of COVID-19.
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"Avoid travel to these destinations, the CDC says. "If you must travel to these destinations, make sure you are fully vaccinated before travel."
What the warnings mean
The CDC, as it monitors the COVID-19 situation around the world, generally updates its Travel Health Notices on Mondays, so more changes may be forthcoming.
More than 90 countries are currently listed as "very high" risk for contracting COVID-19, including Australia and most of Europe (the only exceptions in Europe other than Ukraine are Albania, as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina, which have a "high" risk level for contracing COVID-19.)
On the "low risk" chart are 42 countries, including India and China.
The COVID-19 warnings were established in 2020, as a way to help travelers track outbreaks and assess their personal risk for contracting the virus.
Featured image by Getty Images
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Why We Chose It
Sometimes it's worth a large investment to reap the benefits of a great credit card. That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. In exchange for the annual fee, you'll unlock access to the Amex Membership Rewards program that let you access airline and hotel transfer partners, along with new lifestyle and travel credits. This card is also incredibly rewarding for travel purchases, helping you rack up a ton of Membership Rewards points for your next award trip.Pros
- The current welcome offer on this card is quite lucrative. TPG values it at $1,600.
- This card comes with a long list of benefits, including access to Centurion Lounges, complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott, at least $500 in assorted annual statement credits and so much more. (Enrollment required for select benefits.)
- The Amex Platinum comes with access to a premium concierge service that can help you with everything from booking hard-to-get reservations to finding destination guides to help you plan out your next getaway.
Cons
- The high annual fee is only worth it if you’re taking full advantage of the card’s benefits. Seldom travelers may not get enough value to warrant the cost.
- Outside of the current welcome bonus, you’re only earning higher rewards on specific airfare and hotel purchases, so it’s not a great card for other spending categories.
- The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards.
- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings, which requires a minimum two-night stay, through American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Audible, Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The New York Times. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups are excluded.
- American Express has expanded The Centurion® Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. There are even more places your Platinum Card® can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one select qualifying airline.
- $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.
- Get up to $300 back per calendar year on the Equinox+ digital fitness app, or eligible Equinox club memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card. Enrollment required. Learn more.
- Breeze through security with CLEAR® lanes available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your membership when you use your Card. Learn more.
- $695 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees