Avoid these vacation hotspots at all costs, advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The health agency has flagged several popular island resorts as high-risk destinations for COVID-19, warning that these locales reported more than 500 cases per 100,000 inhabitants within the last 28 days.
Here are the touristy places the CDC deems a no-go zone due to their skyrocketing COVID-19 cases:
- Brunei, Borneo - a secluded island nation that's now joined the long list of places to avoid.
- Jamaica - the lively Caribbean island that has been hit by a surge of COVID-19 infections.
- Sri Lanka - despite having one of Asia's strongest vaccination campaigns, the country has been grappling with an increase in COVID-19 cases.
Joining the above destinations in the "Stay Away" category is:
- Bahamas
- Costa Rica
- France
- Greece
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Malaysia
- Portugal
- South Africa
- Spain
- Thailand
- Turkey
- United Kingdom
Don't fret, there are still plenty of safehavens to choose from for your next vacation. Head to places registered under the "Moderate Risk" category:
- The Netherlands
- Anguilla
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Benin
- Ghana
- Grenada
- Turks and Caicos Islands
The CDC advises fully vaccinated travelers to avoid unnecessary international travel until they have received their complete doses. The health agency warns that even fully vaccinated individuals still face additional risks, especially with COVID-19 variants, during international trips.
Despite the daunting number of COVID-19 infections in these countries, it's essential to note that the health situation may change over time. Travelers should always keep themselves updated with the CDC's COVID-19 travel guidance and latest health advisories for the most recent information.
*Source:
Insights: The CDC generally issues Travel Health Notices (THNs) to guide travelers on potential health risks related to their destinations. While no specific THN exists for COVID-19, the agency provides general guidance and vaccination recommendations to manage the virus.
Enrichment Data Integration: The World Health Organization has reported various health threats beyond COVID-19, including polio outbreaks, clade I mpox outbreaks, and Ebola cases in several countries. Travelers should be aware of these risks and consult the CDC's latest travel advisories for their protection.
