15 Key Travel Advisories Announced in April 2021

April 2021 was a unique month for U.S. State Department travel advisory updates as the DOS issued an update for every country around the world as part of an effort to "rely more on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) existing epidemiological assessments." The result was the expansion of the department's Level 4 "Do Not Travel" guidance to about 80 percent of countries worldwide. While Americans will want to familiarize themselves with the latest updates for any destination they're planning to visit this summer, here are 15 notable pieces of advice travelers won't want to miss.

Mexico was among the more than 100 destinations around the world that received a Level 4 travel advisory from the U.S. State Department due to COVID-19 this April. But while Americans are advised to postpone their travel plans, the DOS acknowledges that there are currently no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in popular tourist destinations such as Cancun, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Maya, among others.

The Caribbean hotspot of Aruba was upgraded to a Level 4 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on April 20. The updated travel advisory seeks to better reflect the CDC's Level 4 Travel Health Notice for the island country due to a very high level of COVID-19. As of late April, Aruba has reported more than 10,500 coronavirus cases and 98 deaths.

The U.S. State Department is advising Americans to avoid travel to Jamaica this spring, citing the threat of the pandemic. The government also warns of crime in some areas of the country, including certain neighborhoods within Kingston, Montego Bay and Spanish Town. Nonetheless, Jamaica has established resilient corridors designed to protect visitors and locals alike while still providing travelers with access to a majority of the island's top tourist attractions.

The Maldives joined the long list of Level 4 countries in April, with officials continuing to warn of COVID-19 risk. The South Asian nation of islands also receives a Level 4 Travel Health Notice from the CDC but remains open to travelers who are willing to get tested within 96 hours of their departure, complete an online Health Declaration Form and undergo thermal screening upon arrival.

The U.S. State Department updated its Level 4 travel advisory for the Dominican Republic due to COVID-19 on April 20, reinforcing the CDC's Level 4 Travel Health Notice for the Caribbean country. Despite the advice, the DR is likely to remain one of the most popular international destinations for Americans who don't want to worry about securing a negative coronavirus test result in order to visit and still have numerous opportunities to be socially distant while still enjoying a tropical vacation.

Iceland, which recently reopened its borders to vaccinated travelers, is listed at a Level 3 due to COVID-19. As of April 26, the State Department is advising Americans to reconsider travel as the CDC has issued a Level 3 Travel Health Notice for the country indicating a high level of COVID-19. Iceland has reported fewer than 6,500 COVID-19 infections and 29 deaths since the crisis began.

Thailand is one of the few nations to receive a Level 2 travel advisory in April, with U.S. officials encouraging visitors to exercise increased caution due to COVID-19. Currently, the country is pushing ahead with a four-stage plan to restart tourism, including allowing tourists who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter through five pilot provinces with proof of a negative test result.

The inviting Turks and Caicos Islands, which was one of the hottest celebrity spring break destinations in 2021, continues to receive a Level 4 travel advisory from the State Department due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis. The CDC has issued a matching Level 4 Travel Health Notice for the islands, which currently requires visitors to test negative for COVID-19 within five days of travel, complete an online health questionnaire and possess insurance.

"Do not travel to Bermuda due to COVID-related conditions," the State Department advises Americans as of April 20. The British island territory, which has implemented elevated health and safety protocols in response to the global crisis, has reported more than 2,370 total coronavirus cases heading into May, including 24 deaths.

Costa Rica, which is one of the easiest countries for Americans to visit this spring as there are no COVID-19 testing requirements for entry, continues to be listed at a Level 4 by both the State Department and the CDC, with both bodies of experts encouraging travelers to avoid visiting for now.

While Greece is planning to reopen to tourists as early as May 15 the State Department is advising Americans to postpone any travel plans for the time being because of the threat of the ongoing pandemic. Greece recently lifted quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated or COVID-19 negative travelers from 32 nations.

As of April 21, the State Department recommends that Americans do not travel to Egypt due to COVID-19. The DOS also advises travelers to exercise increased caution in the country due to terrorism and the Embassy's limited ability to assist dual national U.S.-Egyptian citizens who are arrested or detained. Visitors should also avoid the Sinai Peninsula (with the exception of travel to Sharm El-Sheikh by air) and the Western Desert due to terrorism and stay away from Egyptian border areas due to military zones.

Indonesia, home to beloved Bali, is considered to be another stay away by the State Department, which advises Americans to avoid travel to the Asian country due to COVID-19, terrorism, and natural disasters. Officials also recommend that travelers avoid Central Sulawesi and Papua due to civil unrest.

Yet another popular Caribbean island country to receive the State Department's highest travel advisory level this April, Saint Lucia has reported just over 4,500 COVID-19 cases heading into May and continues to welcome visitors from all countries with testing protocols and other entry requirements in place.

The DOS is advising Americans to put off any plans to visit South Africa this spring due to COVID-19. What's more, the U.S. government encourages travelers to exercise increased caution in the country due to crime and civil unrest. The CDC has also issued its highest Travel Health Notice (Level 4) for South Africa.