The US Puts 80% of the World’s Countries at Level 4: Do Not Travel

The US State Department has been busy the last couple of days as they have raised 80% of the countries of the world to a Level 4 Travel Advisory. A Level 4 is the highest warning level assigned by the US and it means Do Not Travel. What does this mean?

The US Raises Advisory Level for 80% of the World to Level 4: Do Not Travel

Read More: What Does a US Travel Advisory Mean?

This first happened in May of last year as the US put worldwide travel at Level 4. They reduced it for many countries a few months later – after the summer travel season had ended.

Why is So Much of the World at Level 4 – in the Eyes of the US?

It is true that there are many countries that are experiencing higher than every outbreaks (India hit their highest numbers ever) but it is also true that more people are testing as tests are more widely available and more people are getting vaccinated.

In many of these countries where the US has now put a Level 4 advisory, the numbers may be high but are still in the same positivity rate that they have had for almost a year. For example, in Greece, the numbers are averaging around 3,000 positives a day but that has still maintained around an average of a 5% positivity rate – the same as when the positivity numbers were much lower last year.

Many countries are trying to determine the ability to open up and remove restrictions again so it would not be a surprise that testing is becoming part of that toolbox. This will certainly mean that positivity numbers will go up for many countries. In fact, in Greece, even the viral load samples that are being conducted in the sewers have shown that the levels are higher now than before (in Athens, for example).

Should You Travel?

Does this mean that you should still travel? You will not get a “yes” or “no” from me on that! While the US travel advisory is just that – an advisory – it is still something that you should consider for yourself before you do that. There is no question that there are places on the globe where you may be safer from catching it than in the US but you also do need to consider one big thing when you decide on travel.

That big thing is the hospital situation in the country/countries you plan on visiting. Again, in Greece, the number of intubations and Covid ICU beds that have been filled as reached very high levels to the point that they recruited private doctors and hospitals/clinics to help in the fight. If you were to travel to Greece and become very sick, you may find the healthcare situation not as capable of caring for you as it might be at another time.

So, consider that as a major factor if you decide to travel – what is the healthcare system like where you are going and how obtainable is the help you may need if you become very sick from the virus or something else.

Countries all over the world are starting to signal to Americans that they are opening for tourism – especially if you are fully vaccinated. Greece has already opened its doors to Americans who are vaccinated or have a negative PCR test and they plan on welcoming even more in just under a month.

I will say this – I believe most travelers will feel far more comfortable traveling this time around than last summer and I still think that many Americans will be heading abroad in the next few weeks, regardless of a US State Department travel advisory.

The List of Countries and Their Advisory Levels

Below is a complete list of all the countries and their assigned Travel Advisory levels for you to see for yourself. Yes, you will find even Antarctica on this list (which I had written about before when it first had cases pop up) – just in case you planned on traveling there!