Tuesday, November 09, 2021

CDC Elevates 2 More European Nations To Level 4 COVID Travel Warnings


 

#16,307


As COVID continues to surge across Europe (see Netherlands Reinstating Face Masks As COVID Cases Continue To Rise) yesterday the CDC elevated two more European nations to having a very high risk for travel for Americans, moving The Netherlands and Luxembourg from high risk (Level 3)  to very high (Level 4).  

They also raised the Faroe Islands in the North Atlantic, and the Cayman Islands in the Caribbean to Level 4 destinations. 

Over the past 30 days we've seen similar status changes for Russia, the Ukraine, Belgium, and several  other European nations (see CDC COVID Travel Warnings).  All of this comes as the United States yesterday eased travel restrictions from Europe (see AP report As rules ease, travelers head to US for emotional reunions), although vaccination and a negative COVID test are still required. 

Since the advice is similar regardless of your destination, I've posted excerpts from yesterday's upgraded advisory for travel to the Netherlands.

Key Information for Travelers to the Netherlands
  • Avoid travel to the Netherlands.
  • If you must travel to the Netherlands, make sure you are fully vaccinated before travel.
  • Because of the current situation in the Netherlands, even fully vaccinated travelers may be at risk for getting and spreading COVID-19 variants.
  • Travelers should follow recommendations or requirements in the Netherlands, including wearing a mask and staying 6 feet apart from others.
Fully vaccinated travelers are less likely to get and spread COVID-19. However, international travel poses additional risks, and even fully vaccinated travelers might be at increased risk for getting and possibly spreading some COVID-19 variants.

Do not travel internationally until you are fully vaccinated. If you are not fully vaccinated, there are additional recommendations to follow before, during, and after travel.
Before You Travel Internationally

Make sure to plan ahead:

Follow all airline requirements as well as any requirements at your destination, including mask wearing, proof of vaccination, testing, or quarantine. Requirements may differ from U.S. requirements. If you do not follow your destination’s requirements, you may be denied entry and required to return to the United States.

Testing

 RECOMMENDED

If you are not fully vaccinated, get tested with a viral test 1–3 days before your trip.


Do NOT travel if…
  • You have been exposed to COVID-19 unless you are fully vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19 in the past 90 days.
  • You are sick.
  • You tested positive for COVID-19 and haven't ended isolation.
  • You are waiting for results of a COVID-19 test.

Learn what to do in each of these situations and when it is safe for you to travel if you or your travel companion may have COVID-19.

During Travel

Masks
REQUIRED
Wearing a mask over your nose and mouth is required in indoor areas of public transportation (including on airplanes) traveling into, within, or out of the United States and indoors in U.S. transportation hubs (including airports).
 

Protect Yourself and OthersRECOMMENDED
Follow all recommendations and requirements at your destination , including wearing a mask and staying 6 feet (2 meters) apart from anyone who did not travel with you.
Wash your hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.


Before Traveling to the United States

Testing - ALL Travelers
REQUIRED

Before boarding a flight to the United States, you are required to show one of the following:
If you are fully vaccinated: Proof of vaccination and a negative COVID-19 test result taken no more than 3 days before travel. If you are NOT fully vaccinated: A negative COVID-19 test result taken no more than 1 day before travel.

Children under 2 years old do not need to test. There is also an option for people who have documented recovery from COVID-19 in the past 90 days. Learn more about these requirements.

Contact Information
REQUIRED

All air passengers to the United States will also be required to provide contact information to airlines before boarding flights to the United States. This strengthens a travel process already in place to rapidly identify and contact people in the U.S. who may have been exposed to a communicable disease, such as COVID-19. Access to travelers' contact information will allow U.S. federal, state, and local health departments and agencies to share appropriate health and public health information necessary to help keep the public safe.
 
After Arrival in the United States

You might have been exposed to COVID-19 on your travels. You might feel well and not have any symptoms, but you can still be infected and spread the virus to others. For this reason, CDC recommends the following:

All Travelers
RECOMMENDED

If You are NOT Fully Vaccinated
RECOMMENDED

In addition to the testing recommendations above
Stay home and self-quarantine for a full 7 days after travel, even if you test negative at 3–5 days.
If you don’t get tested, stay home and self-quarantine for 10 days after travel.


If Your Test Result is Positive

Isolate yourself to protect others from getting infected. Learn what to do and when it is safe to be around others.
 
If You Recovered from COVID-19 Recently

If you recovered from a documented COVID-19 infection within the past 90 days (regardless of vaccination status), you do NOT need to get a test 3–5 days after travel. People can continue to test positive for up to 90 days after diagnosis and not be infectious to others. You also do not need to self-quarantine after travel. If you develop COVID-19 symptoms after travel, isolate and consult with a healthcare provider for testing recommendations.


With many of the world's nations ranked as either high or very high COVID risk destinations (see map below) - and status changes happening every week - it is highly recommended that you visit the CDC's Traveler's Health Website , and continually monitor conditions at your intended destination, before departure. 




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