11 Key Travel Advisories Announced in March 2021

The U.S. State Department continues to be hard at work assessing threat levels for travelers around the world. Here's a look at some of the key pieces of advice more than one year into the COVID-19 pandemic.

U.S. travelers are encouraged to reconsider travel to Antigua and Barbuda due to health and safety measures and COVID-related conditions, the State Department advised on March 1. The destination, which recently began vaccinating frontline tourism industry workers, is currently open to travelers who can provide proof of a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test result taken within seven days of their flight.

Americans are advised to reconsider travel to Morocco due to the COVID-19 pandemic and exercise increased caution in the North African country because of the threat of terrorism. The U.S. Embassy in Morocco reports that "air travel to and from Morocco remains restricted to specific categories of travelers."

The U.S. government continues to advise Americans to reconsider travel to Thailand due to COVID-19 as of March 1. The good news is that the beloved Asian destination is looking to roll back restrictions related to testing and quarantine in the coming months, making it easier for U.S. travelers to visit. The country plans to shorten the quarantine period for international arrivals to 10 days from 14 beginning April 1 and hopes to eliminate quarantine requirements for some travelers by October 1.

Travelers are encouraged to reconsider travel to Estonia due to the pandemic. Like most of Europe, the country continues to be closed to U.S. travelers but the recent proposal for a Digital Green Certificate could facilitate safe travel throughout the continent.

Bermuda is one of the few destinations to be listed at a Level 2 (exercise increased caution) one year into the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. State Department continues to warn of pandemic-related conditions in the British island territory, which currently requires a negative COVID-19 PCR test result produced within five days of arrival for entry.

The State Department also updated its travel advisory for the Caribbean destination of Grenada on March 16, reissuing a Level 2 advisory due to health and safety measures and COVID-related conditions. Visitors to the Spice Isle are advised to exercise increased caution this spring. Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued its lowest Level 1 Travel Health Notice for Grenada due to COVID-19.

The U.S. State Department reissued a Level 3 travel advisory for Japan on March 29, advising Americans to reconsider travel due to COVID-19. The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Japan warn that "travel for tourism and most other short-term purposes is still not permitted, and there is no indication that this will change in the short term. Visa-free travel is suspended."

Hungary received an updated Level 3 travel advisory from the State Department in mid-March due to the pandemic while the CDC has issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice for the European country due to COVID-19. Americans are generally not permitted to enter the country. However, there are some limited exceptions.

Renowned for its nature and wildlife, Namibia is currently open to travelers who present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken within seven days of departure. However, as of March 1, the U.S. State Department advises Americans to reconsider travel due to the threat of the ongoing pandemic.

Americans are also encouraged to reconsider travel to the island nation of Mauritius due to COVID-19 this spring. The country recently went into lockdown and suspended all international flight arrivals due to a rise in coronavirus cases.

Americans are advised to reconsider travel to Belize due to COVID-19 and exercise increased caution due to crime. The country reopened to international tourism last fall but visitors will need a negative coronavirus test result.