25/12/2021
Europe Travel Update: Another Major Destination Moves into The CDC’s Highest Risk Category...
Even though it’s Christmas week, there hasn’t been much holiday cheer to go around in the travel industry.
Lockdowns, restrictions, and advisories are growing by the day, especially in Europe, where COVID-19 cases continue to rise and destinations decide how to respond.
Some, like France and the Netherlands, have re-entered a lockdown phase that prohibits non-essential travel and activities.
Others are introducing new restrictions and entry requirements, closing down public spaces, such as theaters and cinemas, and canceling events, such as the beloved Christmas markets.
And now, just yesterday, the CDC moved Spain into its highest-risk category (Level 4) as the Omicron variant spreads and COVID-19 cases increase. Americans are advised not to travel to destinations on the Level 4 list, which now include most of Europe: France, Germany, Greece, Italy, and the UK are all on the list.
This obviously does not bode well for holiday travel plans or the start of the new year. In total, there are nearly 90 countries on Level 4 as we head into 2022, casting extreme doubt on the feasibility of travel in the winter months ahead.
Safety and health are the top concerns in deciding whether or not people travel, but the logistics will also play a role. Even if one feels safe, they may not be inclined to travel if entry requirements and restrictions make the process complicated.
