Europe’s travel cards have turned very red – Vax Before Travel

The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) today released updated color code cards to support the Council recommendation on a coordinated approach to travel across the EU during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The recent emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus variant known as Omicron has messed up most travel plans in Europe.

As of December 16, 2021, the total number of Omicron cases has so far reached 3,158.

A preliminary analysis of the first Omicron cases reported to the European Surveillance System shows that imported or travel-related cases account for 13% of the cases.

In comparison, 70% of the reported cases were acquired locally.

Worldwide, 15,778 confirmed Omicron cases have been reported from 85 countries.

Areas are marked in the following colors:

• Green: if the 14-day notification rate is less than 50 and the test positive rate is less than 4%; or if the 14-day notification rate is less than 75 and the test positive rate is less than 1%.
• Orange: if the 14-day notification rate is less than 50 and the test positive rate is 4% or more, or the 14-day notification rate is 50 or more and less than 75 and the test positive rate is 1% or more, or the 14-day notification rate is between 75 and 200 and the test positive rate is less than 4%.
• Red: when the 14-day cumulative COVID-19 case reporting rate is between 75 and 200 and the test-positive rate of tests for COVID-19 infection is 4% or more, or when the 14-day cumulative COVID-19 case reporting rate is greater than 200 but is less than 500.
• Dark red: when the 14-day cumulative COVID-19 case notification rate is 500 or more.
• Gray: if insufficient information is available or the test rate is less than 300 cases per 100,000.

The U.S. Department of State says the first step in planning any international trip is to review the travel advice for your intended destination. Or this color-coded world map. ‘

And for updated travel advice and warnings, visit travel.state.gov/stayingconnected to select the method that works best for you.