Thailand is no longer a dangerous place to travel to — for fully vaccinated travellers. That’s according to the United States’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — or CDC — which removed Thailand its “Do Not Travel” list for Covid-19 on Monday.
The move comes as the US reshuffles its travel advisory categories of which countries pose a risk to international travellers for contracting the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Under the new categories, Thailand is now listed as a “High” risk country at Level 3, along with 88 other countries. It was previously listed as a “Very High” risk country at Level 4.
Level 4 has now been reserved for “Special Circumstances” — such as when a country has a sudden spike in Covid-19 cases, a new variant merges there or the nation’s heal care facilities collapse.
Meanwhile, Level 2 countries are listed as “Moderate” risk and Level 1 countries are listed as “Low” risk to travellers for catching the virus.
The CDC advises unvaccinated travellers and those who are not fully vaccinated not to travel “High” risk Level 3 countries, such as Thailand. But their warning doesn’t apply to those travellers who are fully vaccinated.
The CDC also recommends that immunocompromised travellers check with their doctors before visiting a Level 3 country.
For more detailed information regarding the CDC’s Covid-19 travel advisory information for travellers to Thailand, please click here.
The lowering of the travel risk level for 89 countries comes as nations around the world shift to living-with-Covid strategies and the World Health Organisation poises to declare the virus endemic, effectively ending the global pandemic.
Notably, a US federal judge on Monday struck down the national mask mandate, requiring passengers to wear a mask on public transportation, including busses and airplanes.
Graphics: CDC website