US issues 'Do Not Travel' Covid-19 warning for Germany, Denmark
The United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the State Department on Monday (Nov 22) advised against travel to Germany and Denmark because of a rising number of Covid-19 cases in those countries.
The CDC elevated its travel recommendation to "Level Four: Very High" for the two European countries, telling Americans they should avoid travel there, while the State Department issued parallel "Do Not Travel" advisories for both countries.
The CDC currently lists about 75 destinations worldwide at Level Four, with many European countries on the list including Austria, Britain, Belgium, Greece, Norway, Switzerland, Romania, Ireland and the Czech Republic.
Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel told leaders of her conservative party that measures being taken to stop the spread of the coronavirus in Europe's biggest economy were insufficient and that stronger action needed to be taken, Reuters reported on Monday.
Case numbers in Germany have been soaring, especially among the elderly whose first two shots of Covid-19 vaccine were at the start of the year, and among children who are not eligible for inoculation.
Germany has already decided to limit large parts of public life in areas where hospitals are filling with Covid-19 patients.
Neighbouring Austria on Monday imposed a full Covid-19 lockdown after announcing some renewed restrictions last week.
German acting Health Minister Jens Spahn warned last Friday that Germany may follow.
The CDC separately lowered its Covid-19 travel advisory from Level Four to "Level Three: Low" for Israel, Aruba, the US Virgin Islands, Dutch Caribbean island Curacao, and French Caribbean island Guadeloupe.
Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now