CDC Updates Risk Levels for Several Destinations

Image: Asuncion, Paraguay. (photo via Gerold Grotelueschen / iStock / Getty Images Plus)
Image: Asuncion, Paraguay. (photo via Gerold Grotelueschen / iStock / Getty Images Plus)
Donald Wood
by Donald Wood
Last updated: 9:32 AM ET, Thu July 21, 2022

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced it has added several destinations to its Level 3 "high" risk travel warning category and shifted several other countries and territories to Level 2 and 1.

The CDC revealed that Colombia, Iraq, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Paraguay were all added to the high-risk category, which already includes Canada, Brazil, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Norway, Portugal, South Korea, Spain and the United Kingdom.

In total, there are around 115 destinations at Level 3 and another 25 in the Level 2 category.

The government agency also added seven countries to its "Level 2: COVID-19 Moderate" designation list, including Côte d'Ivoire, El Salvador, Eswatini, Gabon, Lesotho, Mauritania and South Africa.

As for the "Level 1: COVID-19 Low" category, Indonesia, India and the Philippines were added to the list as part of the CDC updates. There are 35 countries and destinations in the low-risk category this week.

Earlier this week, the CDC also ended its voluntary COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships, which was designed in theory to uphold best practices for the mitigation of coronavirus onboard vessels.

Instead, the CDC will "publish guidance to help cruise ships continue to provide a safer and healthier environment for passengers, crew and communities going forward." The CDC will now provide health and safety recommendations for the cruise industry in the same way it currently provides them for other travel sectors.


For the latest travel news, updates and deals, be sure to subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter here.

Topics From This Article to Explore

More From TravelPulse

Related Videos

Grow Your Travel Business With Certified Courses

Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Majestic Resorts Specialist ProgramDiscover all-inclusive luxury at Majestic Resorts in paradise.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Allianz Specialist ProgramProtect every journey with Allianz Partners Travel Insurance.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Los Cabos Specialist ProgramSell the magic of Los Cabos: luxury, adventure, and endless sunshine.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Majestic Resorts Specialist ProgramDiscover all-inclusive luxury at Majestic Resorts in paradise.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Allianz Specialist ProgramProtect every journey with Allianz Partners Travel Insurance.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Los Cabos Specialist ProgramSell the magic of Los Cabos: luxury, adventure, and endless sunshine.

Don't Miss These Travel Agent Events and Trainings

Watch Now!
The Air France Dining ExperienceTuesday, October 27, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Discover why Air France is one of the world’s premier airlines for dining and beverages. In this...
Upcoming Webinar
United's newest routes and next-generation airport experiencesWednesday, October 28, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join United for an exclusive look at United’s latest network expansion and exciting new airport...
Upcoming Webinar
Mexico for the Western Traveler Part 2: 2026Tuesday, October 29, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join Travel Weekly, TravelAge West and TravelPulse in the virtual studios for Discover Mexico for the...
Watch Now!
The Air France Dining ExperienceTuesday, October 27, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Discover why Air France is one of the world’s premier airlines for dining and beverages. In this...
Upcoming Webinar
United's newest routes and next-generation airport experiencesWednesday, October 28, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join United for an exclusive look at United’s latest network expansion and exciting new airport...
Upcoming Webinar
Mexico for the Western Traveler Part 2: 2026Tuesday, October 29, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join Travel Weekly, TravelAge West and TravelPulse in the virtual studios for Discover Mexico for the...