Countries With the Lowest COVID-19 Threat Level This Summer

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently eased travel recommendations for more than 110 countries and territories around the world. The changes were met by dozens of updated travel advisories from the U.S. State Department to reflect a lower COVID-19 threat level in some destinations. With the first day of summer less than a week away, here's a look at some of the top places travelers can visit without sacrificing peace of mind.

The U.S. State Department has placed the Caribbean islands of Antigua and Barbuda at a Level 1 as of June 8, advising visitors to exercise normal precautions. Meanwhile, the CDC has issued a Level 1 Travel Health Notice for Antigua and Barbuda due to the pandemic, indicating a low level of COVID-19 in the island country (1,263 total cases as of June 14). Currently, the destination is requiring all visitors to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within seven days of their flight.

Home to sought-after destinations such as Tahiti and Bora Bora, French Polynesia is among the safest remote destinations you can visit this summer. Receiving a Level 1 threat level from both the State Department and CDC, the country reopened to international travel on May 1 after temporarily closing to curb the spread of COVID-19 earlier this year.

Malta recently became the first country in the European Union to reach herd immunity from COVID-19 and is listed at a Level 1 on the CDC's COVID-19 threat level scale, with the agency indicating a low level of coronavirus in the Mediterranean archipelago. Meanwhile, the State Department advises Americans to exercise normal precautions in Malta, which recently reopened to tourists on June 1.

While Grenada is listed at a Level 2 (exercise increased caution) on the State Department's travel advisory scale as of April 20, it's worth noting that only 11 destinations worldwide are currently at a Level 1. What's more, the Spice Isle is one of the 50-plus destinations to receive a Level 1 Travel Health Notice from the CDC. Grenada has reported only 161 COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began, including only one death.

Elsewhere in the eastern Caribbean, St. Kitts and Nevis has also received a Level 1 Travel Health Notice from the CDC, indicating a low level of COVID-19 in the country. As of June 14, the dual-island nation has reported just 155 coronavirus cases. This summer, the State Department encourages visitors to exercise increased caution due to health and safety measures and COVID-related conditions such as vaccination requirements for entry.

The CDC currently indicates a low level of COVID-19 within Belize's borders and the State Department advises visitors to exercise increased caution due to crime, pointing out that some areas have increased risk but otherwise making no mention of COVID-19. Belize reopened to travelers last fall as part of a five-phase Travel Reopening Plan that saw the country establish a Safe Tourism Corridor.

Morocco received a Level 2 travel advisory from the State Department this June, but for terrorism concerns. Currently, the U.S. government says Americans should exercise increased caution in Morocco due to terrorism and exercise normal precautions due to COVID-19. Meanwhile, the CDC has issued a Level 1: COVID-19 Low Travel Health Notice for the North African country. Morocco is set to welcome more international flights beginning June 15, requiring eligible visitors to provide proof of vaccination and or a negative test result.

In its updated travel advisory for Turks and Caicos, the State Department encourages visitors to exercise increased caution due to crime, pointing out that the CDC has indicated a low level of coronavirus in the British territory this summer. Turks and Caicos has reported just over 2,400 COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began but has seen infection numbers drop considerably in recent months. To visit the islands this summer, travelers will need to complete a health screening questionnaire, have insurance that covers COVID-19 related medical costs and provide proof of a negative test result taken no more than five days prior to travel.

While the State Department warns of COVID-19 related restrictions in Iceland, the CDC has issued a Level 1 Travel Health Notice for the European island nation, which recently reopened its borders to vaccinated travelers. Visiting will soon get even easier. Starting July 1, travelers vaccinated against COVID-19 or recovered from it will no longer be required to test on arrival.