The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated their list of “high risk” travel destinations and added Russia as the country has been experiencing a steep spike in COVID-19 cases since last month.
Russia found itself in the Level 4 classification of the list, marking itself in the highest risk category on Monday afternoon. The country was previously placed in Level 3 for COVID-19 related risks, according to reports from CNN.
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The criteria set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention dictates that destinations that have reported more than 500 cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 residents in the past 28 days should be placed in Level 4.
The health agency instructs residents of the United States against travelling to locations that fall in Level 4 of the list. However, a general advisory also suggests that if anyone must travel, they should be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 first.
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As of November 1, nearly 80 countries are listed in Level 4. Countries like the United Kingdom, Turkey, Switzerland, Maldives, Austria, Thailand and Ireland fall in the category.
However, only four countries — Russia, Slovakia, Burkina Faso and Belgium– were moved up a place in the updated list released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this month.
Russia’s state coronavirus task force on Monday reported more than 40,000 new confirmed COVID-19 cases for the third straight day and more than 1,100 deaths for the seventh day in a row – the highest levels in each category since the start of the pandemic.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that governments in regions where the situation is severe could start the non-working days earlier and extend them if needed, according to reports from Associated Press.
In Moscow, the non-working period started on October 28, with city authorities shutting down many non-essential businesses.
