Photo Courtesy of U.S. Embassy
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and U.S. State Department raised travel alerts for Jamaica and Puerto Rico due to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases.
The CDC on Tuesday raised Jamaica and Puerto Rico to a level four, which signifies “very high” COVID levels and means travelers should avoid travel to the popular Caribbean vacation destinations.
According to the CDC, “If you must travel to these destinations, make sure you are fully vaccinated before travel.”
The CDC has four levels starting from level one is considered low, to level two, moderate, level three, high and level four, very high. The CDC assesses the COVID-19 risk based on each destination’s new cases and new case trajectory.
Related Story: Jamaica Seeks Billions in Slavery Reparations from the United Kingdom
According to USA Today, “The Travel Health Notice level can be raised if a large increase in COVID-19 cases is reported or a destination’s case count meets or exceeds the threshold for a higher level for 14 straight days. Level four destinations have more than 500 new cases per 100,000 people over the past 28 days or more than 500 cases period if their population is smaller than 100,000.”
According to The Hill, it took just weeks for Puerto Rico to upgrade from level three to level four. Last month, Governor Pedro Pierluisi tried to discourage travel to PR by limiting alcohol sales, concerts, weddings, and other activities that require people to gather. His attempt to ban activities related to spreading COVID-19 seems to be a failed attempt as cases continue to surge.
If you are planning a trip, you might want to reconsider.
According to the Washington Post, CDC’s spokeswomen Caitlin Shockey said, “Travel increases your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19. You may feel well and not have any symptoms, but you can still spread COVID-19 to others. Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.”