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Coronavirus COVID-19

Q&A: What does the end of State Department's 'do not travel' advisory mean for American travelers?

Curtis Tate
USA TODAY

The U.S. State Department on Thursday lifted its blanket advisory for Americans to avoid international travel, put in place five months ago because of the coronavirus pandemic. 

However, that does not mean Americans should travel anywhere they like. Many countries won't allow them to enter anyway. And the State Department still maintains a level 4 alert — its highest — for more than 50 countries. A substantial number remain at level 3, which means reconsider travel.

Only a handful of countries are are designated at the lowest levels of travel risk.

"Health and safety conditions are improving in some countries, while deteriorating in others," Carl Risch, the State Department's assistant secretary for consular affairs, said in a phone briefing with reporters.

What prompted this change?

Karin King, the deputy assistant secretary for overseas citizen services, told reporters that coronavirus conditions have improved in a number of countries, based on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In many countries, the risk has receded somewhat, she said.

Learn more: Best travel insurance

"We have a significant number of places that went down to level 3," King said.

Still, King noted that most of the countries the State Department monitors are still at a 3 or a 4.

King added that the State Department was not likely to return to a level 4 advisory for all international travel. "I suspect we are going to stay at a country-by-country posture," she said.

Will I be able to renew my passport?

The State Department put passport services on hold as the pandemic gripped the globe. But starting in June, it began a phased resumption of passport services. Risch said the department had reduced its backlog of 1.8 million applications to 1 million since then.

"We are committed to reopening passport services," King said.

What's the difference between the State Department and CDC travel guidance?

Both the State Department and CDC issue travel guidance, and it is coordinated to some extent. However, while State uses a four-level advisory scale, the CDC uses a three-level system.

Both issue recommendations by country. While the focus of CDC's travel recommendations is health, the State Department takes more into account. Its travel advisories can be affected by terrorism, civil unrest or even natural disasters.

Unlike the State Department, CDC's recommendations don't include "do not travel." Its highest-level warning means avoid nonessential travel.

If you're planning international travel, it's recommended to consult both.

Where is it safe to go?

There are few individual countries that have low or no risk. Among the places the State Department advises to exercise normal precautions, its lowest level, are Taiwan and Macau. Hong Kong, Thailand and New Zealand are at level 2, exercise increased caution. As King noted, most countries remain a 3 or 4.

The CDC also considers Taiwan, Macau, Thailand and New Zealand low risk or very low risk. The agency has no countries rated as moderate risk, where older adults and people with underlying health conditions should postpone travel. For the balance of countries, the CDC recommends all avoid travel.

Keep in mind that international trips invariably involve air travel, and that poses its own risks for coronavirus. Also note that no cruises will sail in U.S. waters until at least Nov. 1, thanks to the CDC's extension of its no-sail order.

What about Canada or Mexico? Or Europe?

Both the northern and southern land borders remain closed to nonessential travel, though flights are operating to Canada and Mexico.

Most European countries remain closed to American visitors. A couple of exceptions: Croatia and Turkey. 

A lone traveler enters an empty baggage claim area in Terminal Four at Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix. Airlines are reducing flights due to the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak.
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