CDC Classifies Iceland as Red

Last night, the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its COVID-19 classification of Iceland to red, or Level 4, the highest level of the disease, and posted the following statement on its website: 

“Avoid travel to Iceland.

If you must travel to Iceland, make sure you are fully vaccinated before travel.”

Recent weeks have seen a rapid rise in new cases of COVID-19 in Iceland, and the 14-day incidence rate per 100,000 inhabitants has soared to 580.1, according to covid.is. 

Yesterday, a record 215 new domestic cases of the disease were confirmed.

Along with Iceland, the CDC updated the classification of Guernsey, the Czech Republic and Hungary to Level 4.

Already classified as Level 4 countries were the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, Singapore and Turkey, to name just a few. For the complete list of Level 4 countries, see here.

The CDC’s post continues:

“Because of the current situation in Iceland, even fully vaccinated travelers may be at risk for getting and spreading COVID-19 variants.

Travelers should follow recommendations or requirements in Iceland, including wearing a mask and staying 6 feet apart from others.”