The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced two travel-related COVID-19 updates. First, the organization is extending the mask mandate for at least two weeks because of an uptick in cases due to the BA.2 omicron subvariant and an overhaul of its Travel Health Notice System.
The mask order will now stay in effect through May 3.
In addition to the mask mandate extension, the CDC said it would be changing the way it updates its Travel Health Notice system for international destinations. The new system will help the public better gauge risk in a certain location.
Level 4 destination will now be reserved for special circumstances in a destination, such as rapidly escalating case trajectory or extremely high case counts, emergence of a new variant of concern, or health care infrastructure collapse.
Levels 3, 2, and 1 will continue to be primarily determined by 28-day incidence or case counts. The new level system will be effective through April 18, 2022.
This new configuration will allow travelers to better assess health threats around the world and take steps to protect themselves before, during, and after travel.
The CDC will continue to monitor COVID-19 levels in communities, nationally, and abroad to provide the most up-to-date guidance to keep travelers safe and healthy.
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