On 19 July 2021, the U.S. Department of State issued an updated Travel Advisory for the United Kingdom, which reads in part as follows: “Do not travel to the United Kingdom due to COVID-19. Exercise increased caution due to terrorism.
“Read the Department of State’s COVID-19 page before you plan any international travel.
“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice for the United Kingdom due to COVID-19, indicating a very high level of COVID-19 in the country. There are restrictions in place affecting U.S. citizen entry into the United Kingdom. Your risk of contracting COVID-19 and developing severe symptoms may be lower if you are fully vaccinated with an FDA authorized vaccine. Before planning any international travel, please review the CDC’s specific recommendations for fully vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers.
“Visit the Embassy’s COVID-19 page for more information on COVID-19 related restrictions and conditions in the United Kingdom.”
The full text of the Travel Advisory is available here.
Analyst Comment: The Department of State raised its level of travel warning advice for the U.K. after the CDC issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice, its most severe advisory level, for the country on the same day that most domestic coronavirus-related restrictions in England were annulled. The restrictions were lifted despite a notable increase in new COVID-19 cases in the U.K. during the previous week; official statistics indicate a 41% increase in new cases compared to the preceding week. The Department of State previously maintained a “Level 3: Reconsider Travel” advisory in accordance with the CDC’s Level 3 Travel Health Notice for the U.K. issued on 10 May, indicating a high level of COVID-19 in the country.
