The CDC warns US travelers to avoid more than 135 destinations. Do people care?

• Every week, the CDC updates its list of countries that should be avoided due to COVID-19.
• Despite the guidance, some travelers are still visiting or planning trips to level 4 countries.
• Experts advise against travel during the latest COVID spike but say cases may trend downward soon.

Just weeks before Shelby Kalma left for Germany and the Czech Republic in late December, federal health officials issued a red alert warning: Avoid travel to both countries because of COVID-19. 

The guidance didn’t stop the Tacoma, Washington resident, who spent three weeks in Europe with her husband. The trip was a last-minute decision, but the couple was itching to travel and the two countries allowed them in with proof of full vaccination. 

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