U.S. govt to cut back on ‘do not travel’ COVID advisories

Travellers walk at John F. Kennedy International Airport all through the unfold of the Omicron coronavirus variant in Queens, New York Metropolis, U.S., December 26, 2021. REUTERS/Jeenah Moon

April 14 (Reuters) – The U.S. State Department said Thursday it will sharply slash back again on “Do Not Travel” advisories for international locations after public well being officials announced a modify in how they will assess COVID-19 concerns.

Out of about 215 countries and territories that it fees,the section now lists almost 120 at “Stage Four: Do Not Journey”, which includes a lot of Europe Japan, Israel and Russia.

The office claimed its update “will depart close to 10% of all journey advisories at Stage 4” together with all hazard components, not just COVID. “We consider the up to date framework will support U.S. citizens make far better educated decisions about the safety of international vacation,” it mentioned in a statement.

The Facilities for Disease Handle and Prevention (CDC) on Wednesday said it would shrink from all around 90 the international locations it premiums as Amount 4, commencing Monday.

Airways and other vacation teams have been urgent the Biden administration to elevate the pre-departure COVID unfavorable take a look at demands for intercontinental tourists, as lots of other nations have performed.

Administration officers say the concern has been less than overview but well being officers have introduced no changes.

Reporting by David Shepardson in Sonoma, California modifying by John Stonestreet

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