Tag: Lowers

CDC Lowers Covid Health Risk For 6 More Countries
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With Covid finally on course to become an endemic disease, and no longer a particularly worrying threat to public health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is making some important updates to its travel advisories. Now, six more countries have had their health risk levels downgraded, enjoying a new Level 2 status.

Throughout the pandemic, the CDC has classified different destinations based on their epidemiology. Level 1 means the circulation of Covid is low, while on Levels 2 and 3 it is deemed ‘moderate’ and ‘high’, respectively. Level 4 is usually reserved for ‘special circumstances’ when the virus is rampant, or a new variant of concern has been identified.

The six new countries that are now in the CDC’s good graces had been placed on the ‘high risk’ list for months – even after cases subsided and pandemic restrictions were dropped. As of June 21, they are no longer perceived as risky destinations:

Bolivia

An unsung Latin American country, Bolivia had been stuck in a Category 3 limbo up until yesterday, June 21, when the latest CDC guidance was published. Following the update, it was moved down to the ‘Moderate Risk’ grouping, meaning that although Covid transmission is still possible within the country, the viral spread remains within acceptable levels.

Despite being a safer destination than it once was, at least regarding Covid, Bolivia is not yet fully open for travel. Local authorities may have allowed international flights to resume as early as 2020, but they still expect air passengers to satisfy certain health requirements ahead of traveling to Bolivia for tourism.

Entry Requirements For Bolivia In 2022
- When fully vaccinated, visitors must present a printed or digital copy of their certificate
- If they are yet to be immunized, undergoing a PCR in under 72 hours, or a Rapid Antigen test 48 hours before boarding
- All arrivals must register their local address online prior to flying
Ethiopia

Lower-than-average vaccination coverage aside, Africa as a whole seems to be moving past the critical stage of the pandemic, and Ethiopia is a clear example of that. Once one of the hardest hit in the continent, the nation has now been granted a Level 2 placing, outpacing other major tourist spots like South Africa and Seychelles.

Visiting Ethiopia may come with a set of restrictions, including mandatory testing for the unvaccinated, but at least it is far from being overwhelmed by Covid. According to latest data shared by Reuters, this Eastern African jewel is currently recording 656 new infections on average per day, or only 16% of the highest case tally reported on December 31.

Entry Requirements For Ethiopia In 2022
- Travelers who are not vaccinated must present a negative Covid test for entry, either a PCR (72 hours preceding travel) or a Rapid Antigen (24 hours)
- Alternatively, recovery certificates issued within the last 3 months are also considered valid proof of entry
Kenya

An up-and-coming tourist destination, Kenya is considered by many the ultimate Africa trip: perfect for slow-paced travel and safari adventures, it is home to some of the continent’s most emblematic wildlife, and arguably its most welcoming people(s). On top of that, traveling to Kenya does not involve particularly high Covid infection risks, as assessed by the CDC.

A Level 2 nation, Kenya is welcoming all vaccinated travelers, including American, without testing, quarantine, or any other health-related requirements. As long as incoming passengers can produce a vaccination certificate at the border, they are free to explore the region’s natural immediately after leaving the airport.

Entry Requirements For Kenya In 2022
- A vaccination certificate is required
- Vaccination certificates must be uploaded to the Global Haven website
- Unless exempt, unvaccinated tourists are not allowed to enter; those who qualify for an exemption must present a negative PCR test result obtained up to 72 hours in advance
Morocco

North of the Sahara Desert, Morocco is joining both Ethiopia and Kenya as one of very few nations in Africa where Covid risks are understood to be ‘moderate’. According to the CDC, visitors are simply advised to make sure they are up to date with their vaccination schedule when visiting Morocco – indeed, it remains an official requirement for entry.

Morocco is one of the most touristy nations in the North of Africa, with cities like Marrakech, Fez, Rabat and Tangier dating back thousands of years, and a spotless Mediterranean coastline that rivals those of neighboring African and European countries. Luckily, flights into the country have been authorized again since February 2022.

Entry Requirements For Morocco In 2022
- Passengers must present a three-dose vaccination certificate, or then a two-dose vaccination certificate less than four months old
- When unable to satisfy the above requirement, they may present a negative PCR test result (72 hours before boarding)
- Recovery certificates will not be accepted
- All travelers must fill out a Passenger Locator Form
Romania

Over in Eastern Europe, Romania’s infection rates have decreased fast enough for it to attain a Level 2 classification this week. A mystical land dotted with castles, medieval citadels, remnants of bygone empires and even a coastline – Black Sea summer, anyone? – the country’s tourism sector will surely benefit from the CDC revision over summer.

Unlike every other destination mentioned so far on this list, Romania is open with no restrictions whatsoever: both the vaccinated, and unvaccinated, are allowed to come and go as it pleases them, since Romanian border authorities ceased checking Covid documentation back in March.

Entry Requirements For Romania In 2022

There are no Covid entry requirements applying to those visiting Romania in 2022

Sweden

Last but not least, Sweden is now the first in Scandinavia to be moved back to the Level 2 bracket. Out of all the new Level 2 entries, it has to be the safest nation overall, reporting a nearly negligible 226 new infections per day – only 1% of the January 27 peak. Fortunately for travelers, the CDC has acknowledged Sweden’s success in managing the health crisis (at last).

More importantly, Covid levels are now so low in the country that Sweden recently scrapped all entry requirements, reinstating travel guidelines exactly as they were back in 2019. Since late March, Americans visiting Sweden have no longer been subject to Europe’s infamously strict Covid regulations, vaccine requirements, testing, or quarantine.

Entry Requirements For Sweden In 2022

There are no Covid entry requirements applying to those visiting Sweden in 2022

Other CDC guidance, including countries that remain on the Level 3 risk group, can be found here.

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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories
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June 23, 2022
CDC Lowers Health Risk For Travel To Mexico
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The CDC has moved Mexico down from its ‘high risk’ for COVID-19 to ‘moderate risk’ as COVID-19 cases drop in Mexico. In addition, the CDC has also decreased the risk of traveling to Belize and Antigua and Barbuda—two other popular destinations for Americans.

Mexico remains one of the best destinations for North American tourists. With zero entry requirements and rapidly declining COVID-19 cases, tourists can have an incredible time.

The CDC Decreases Mexico’s Health Rating

The CDC has moved Mexico to a ‘Level 2: Moderate Risk’ health rating from a ‘Level 3: High Risk’ health rating due to decreasing COVID-19 cases. The current 7-day case average in Mexico is 8,251; that’s down from 35,201 at its peak in January 2022.

Currently, there are no entry requirements to visit Mexico. The nation became the 2nd country worldwide—after El Salvador—to scrap all COVID-19 entry requirements back in January 2022.

Mexico also, contrary to most of the world, remained open for tourism throughout the entire COVID-19 pandemic. It’s been an excellent destination in the previous two years and this news continues the trend.

Mexico has also ended the warning system for COVID-19 and started treating the virus as endemic. Therefore, from April 25, the country has stopped issuing new Covid advisories and ceased recommending health measures.

The Mexican government will give all 32 states ‘green status’ in accordance with the country’s new approach to Covid management. However, travelers still have to wear face coverings in indoor venues in popular destinations like Cancun.

What Are The CDC’s Health Ratings?

The CDC rates nations based on their COVID-19 risk level. Recently, however, the CDC overhauled its rating system.

The ‘Level 3: High Risk’ category is now the highest. After that, the CDC issues the ‘Level 2: Moderate risk’ and ‘Level 1: Low Risk.’

The Level 4 rating—which had over 100 nations in March—is now reserved for special circumstances only. There are no nations on the current Level 4 rating.

The CDC doesn’t state travelers can’t visit ‘High Risk’ destinations; they suggest all U.S. citizens should be fully vaccinated before traveling there. However, the CDC advises against all international travel, regardless of the destination, if travelers aren’t fully vaccinated.

CNN Medical Analyst, Dr. Leana Wen, said we’ve moved into “a phase in the pandemic where people need to make their own decisions based on their medical circumstances as well as their risk tolerance when it comes to contracting Covid-19,”

This is how the CDC breaks down its current rating system:
- Level 3 High – between 100-500 new cases over the past 28 days per 100,000 population
- Level 2 Moderate between – 50-99 new cases over the past 28 days per 100,000 population
- Level 1 Low – fewer than 50 new cases over the past 28 days per 100,000 population
What About Other Nations?

Mexico wasn’t the only nation to receive some good news from the CDC this week.

They also moved Antigua and Barbuda and Belize to the ‘Level 2: Moderate Risk’ health rating. However, the CDC moved Taiwan to its ‘Level 2: Moderate Risk’ health rating after staying at ‘Level 1: Low Risk’ for the entire pandemic.

However, the CDC still issues high-risk warnings to many European nations, including the following popular destinations for North American tourists:
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Ireland
- Italy
- The Netherlands
- Portugal
- Spain
- United Kingdom
Other popular nations with a ‘High Risk’ warning include:
- Brazil
- Canada
- Costa Rica
- Malaysia
- South Korea
- Thailand
The CDC also added Botswana and Indonesia to its “Level 1: Covid-19 Low Risk” health rating.

Indonesia, thanks to the beautiful island of Bali, is a popular spot for American tourists and is now allowing foreign visitors to enter.

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↓ Join the community ↓

The Travel Off Path Community FB group has all the latest reopening news, conversations, and Q&A’s happening daily!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories
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May 4, 2022
UK Lowers Price Of Mandatory Testing Following Months Of Controversy

The UK authorities has lowered the worth of its obligatory Covid-19 testing kits following months of complaints from the struggling journey trade, most people and vocal members of the political opposition events. A compulsory requirement for vacationers arriving from particular international locations, vacationers need to take a number of pricey checks upon their return to the UK throughout their interval of isolation.

The discount within the worth of Covid-19 testing is about to be welcomed as a optimistic determination by the federal government, at a time when it’s going through fixed heavy scrutiny from all sides concerning its insurance policies for worldwide journey. Here’s a better have a look at what has modified, who the change is about to have an effect on and whether or not or not any extra modifications could be on the best way.

Test Price Lowered – What Travelers Should Know

Ever for the reason that UK launched its controversial traffic light system for worldwide journey again in May of this yr, it has undergone a collection of modifications and alterations concerning its guidelines and rules. One such important change was permitting those that are absolutely vaccinated to journey from an amber nation to the UK without having to isolate, having beforehand wanted to isolate for a interval of 10 days beneath the unique phrases of the site visitors mild system.

However, with unvaccinated vacationers getting back from amber international locations nonetheless needing to self-isolate, it’s this group that will probably be affected by the change in the price of Covid-19 tests. Whilst the NHS offers check kits without spending a dime for these with signs within the UK, these getting back from worldwide journey should pay for them. These vacationers need to be examined twice throughout their 10-day interval of isolation, on day 2 and as soon as extra on day 8.

Luckily for them, the worth change will see them lower your expenses, because the British authorities bowing to sustained strain over the worth of the checks. The checks used to value £170 for 2, however will now be out there for simply £136 – a saving of £34, or round $50. The discount doesn’t apply to these arriving from purple listing international locations, or those that organize their checks privately – it can solely have an effect on amber nation arrives who buy checks from the NHS.

More worth reductions may nonetheless be on the best way, because the British Health Secretary Sajid Javid introduced a “rapid internal review” of the worth of personal Covid-19 testing was at the moment underway. Javid mentioned:

“I’ve ordered my department to urgently review the list of private providers on gov.uk to ensure pricing is clearer and transparent. Any provider found to be misleading the public will be kicked off. Too many providers are acting like cowboys and that needs to stop. The public should be allowed to enjoy their summer holidays without having to face excessive costs or anxiety.”

The worth of Covid-19 testing has lengthy been a supply of debate within the UK, with journey corporations accusing the federal government of constructing worldwide journey a privilege that solely the rich may afford as a result of excessive prices related to testing. By decreasing the worth of the checks, it can make journey extra accessible for a wider group of individuals, and will lead to a miniature journey growth in these final remaining weeks of summer time.

It shouldn’t be the primary time the British authorities has bowed to strain from the general public, with the federal government lately scrapping plans for an amber plus list which might have seen vaccinated guests getting back from France needing to self-isolate. With the federal government eager to curry favor with the general public, extra modifications may properly be on the best way in future. For updated data on which international locations make up the inexperienced, amber and purple lists, please examine here.

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August 16, 2021