US to extend travel ban to 80 per cent of all countries
The US government is set to extend its existing travel ban regime to around 80 per cent of countries worldwide
The US Department of State has confirmed it will launch a review of its current travel advisories this week. It said this would likely result in a ‘significant increase’ in the number of countries on its ‘do not travel’ list. Updated advisories will ‘better reflect’ the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) science-based travel notices, said the department.
These consider issues affecting travellers’ health, logistical factors such as in-destination testing availability and any current travel restrictions unique to US citizens.
An adjustment in the travel advisory system
"This update will result in a significant increase in the number of countries at ‘Level 4: Do Not Travel’, to approximately 80 per cent of countries worldwide,” the department said. “This does not imply a reassessment of the current health situation in a given country, but rather reflects an adjustment in the State Department’s travel advisory system to rely more on CDC’s existing epidemiological assessments.
"As always, we are closely monitoring conditions around the globe, and will regularly update our destination-specific advice to US travellers as conditions evolve."
This news comes as the World Health Organization extends its global healthcare emergency over the Covid-19 pandemic by three months.