CDC, State Department, issue highest warnings against travel to UK over rise in COVID cases

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. State Department on Monday issued their highest warnings against travel to the United Kingdom due to a rise in COVID-19 cases. 

They each raised their travel advisories to "level 4," telling Americans they should avoid travel there.

"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," the State Department said in its advisory. 

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People walk in Oxford Circus, in London, Monday, July 19, 2021. As of Monday, face masks are no longer legally required in England, and with social distancing rules shelved, there are no limits on the number of people attending theater performances or big events. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

"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," the advisory added. 

The State Department advisory level for the UK was most recently Level 3: Reconsider Travel due to Covid-19.

The CDC advisory, posted earlier in the day, said that if individuals must travel to the U.K., they should be fully vaccinated. The alert had been at level 3.

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The warnings come after the Biden administration was pressed by airline executives and travel industry members to loosen existing COVID travel restrictions that have impacted international booking demand, CNBC reported. 

They also come as nearly all coronavirus restrictions were lifted in the U.K, including the mandatory wearing of face masks. 

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Reuters reported that since March 2020, the U.S. has had an entry ban for all non-U.S. citizens who have recently been in the U.K. from the states. 

COVID-19 cases in the U.K are rising by more than 50,000 a day, according to the news organization.