Coronavirus: US eases travel warnings to several countries – including Olympics host Japan
- Canada, Mexico, France and Germany also received upgrades, with Americans asked to reconsider travel but ending the blanket ban
- South Korea received a clean bill of health, with the State Department saying Americans can exercise normal precautions when visiting
The United States on Tuesday eased its warnings against travel to a number of major nations including Olympics host Japan, raising hopes that widespread vaccinations will bring a return to normal travel.
Close US allies and neighbours including Canada, Mexico, France and Germany also received upgrades, with the State Department asking Americans to reconsider travel but ending its blanket advice not to go at all.
South Korea received a clean bill of health, with the State Department saying Americans can exercise normal precautions when visiting – the standard US travel advice for developed nations before the pandemic.
A State Department official said it revised its travel guidance after new recommendations a day earlier by the centres for Disease Control, which called on Americans to be fully vaccinated before travelling but for non-vaccinated people to avoid trips.
“As conditions evolve, we regularly update our advice to US travellers,” the official said.