The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced, 18 April, Covid-19 travel-related updates including removing all 89 destinations in that had been on the country’s ‘Do not travel’ (Level 4) list.
CDC says the BA.2 subvariant now makes up more than 85% of US Covid cases and that there has been an increase, since the start of April, in the seven-day moving average of cases in the US.
The CDC Mask Order remains in effect while CDC assesses the potential impact of the rise of cases on severe disease, including hospitalisations and deaths, and healthcare system capacity. The Transportation and Security Administration (TSA) will extend the security directive and emergency amendment for 15 days, through 3 May, 2022.
The new system will now reserve Level 4 travel health notices for special circumstances, such as rapidly escalating case trajectory or extremely high case counts, emergence of a new variant of concern, or healthcare infrastructure collapse. Levels 3, 2, and 1 will continue to be primarily determined by 28-day incidence or case counts. The new level system was made effective 18 April, 2022.
Nearly 120 destinations are now on the high-risk, level-three list, including Australia, Canada, Mexico and the UK.
A federal judge struck down the CDC’s proposed extension of the federal mask mandate, which required face coverings to be worn at all times on public transport, regardless of vaccination status. American and Delta Airlines subsequently lifted their mask mandates.
Meeting planners are advised to consider transmission levels not only in their host destination, but also in the destinations from which their delegates are coming.
The situation remains that anyone entering the US from abroad must present proof of a negative Covid-19 test taken within one day of departure. The rules apply to all travellers, regardless of vaccination status. See the CDC’s guidance on international travel for more detail.
“Event planners should work with state and local health officials to implement this guidance, adjusting to meet the unique needs and circumstances of the local community,” the CDC guidance further recommends.
Photo Credit: James Gathany, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
