Covid Updates: Africa Faces Third Wave as Vaccine Rollout Sputters
Last Updated
June 4, 2021, 1:45 a.m. ETJune 4, 2021, 1:45 a.m. ET
The U.S. detailed plans to send 25 million doses of the vaccine abroad. And the death toll in long-term care facilities has dropped sharply, from a peak of 5,000 a week to fewer than 300.
Here’s what you need to know:
South African retirees waiting to receive doses of Covid vaccine at a clinic near Johannesburg, South Africa, last week.Credit.Themba Hadebe/Associated Press
A sudden, sharp rise in coronavirus cases in many parts of Africa could amount to a continental third wave, the World Health Organization warned on Thursday, a portent of deeper trouble for a continent whose immunization drives have been crippled by shortfalls in funding and vaccine doses.
Travel Advisory Update for Barbados – U.S. Embassy Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean
The Department of State lowered the Travel Advisory Level for Barbados to
Level 3 – Reconsider Travel to Barbados due to health and safety measures and COVID-related conditions.
Read the Department of State’s COVID-19 page before you plan any international travel.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 3 Travel Health Notice for Barbados due to COVID-19.
If you decide to travel to Barbados:
Visit the CDC’s webpage on Travel and COVID-19.
Visit the Barbadian Government’s official page for pre-arrival protocols.
Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
May 12, 2021
Event: Travel Advisory Elevation to Level Four – Do Not Travel; COVID-19 Response
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice for Nepal due to COVID-19, indicating a very high level of COVID-19 in the country. Subsequently, on May 10, the State Department elevated the Travel Advisory for Nepal to Level 4 – Do Not Travel. For further information, please visit the State Department travel webpage for Nepal: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Nepal.html.
Currently, regularly scheduled commercial flights departing Nepal are not available. On May 11, the Government of Nepal (GoN) extended the flight suspension through the night of May 31. The U.S. Embassy has requested that the GoN permit the operation of charter flights by airlines providing service to the United States. We are awaiting word of GoN approval for the operation
Travel Advisory: Nepal - Level 4 (Do Not Travel)
Do not travel to Nepal due to
COVID-19. Exercise increased caution in Nepal due to
the potential for isolated political violence.
Read the Department of State’s COVID-19 page before you plan any international travel.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice for Nepal due to COVID-19, indicating a very high level of COVID-19 in the country. Visit the Embassy s COVID-19 page for more information on COVID-19 in Nepal.
On May 7, the Department of State authorized the voluntary departure of family members of U.S. government employees and non-emergency U.S. government employees from Nepal.
May 05, 2021
With the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention releasing more guidelines for the cruise industry to restart, it has also published a set of guidelines for so-called volunteer cruises, which will be between two and seven days in length.
Specifics:
Cruise lines will need to test embarkation and disembarkation procedures, as approved by U.S. port and local health authorities as part the cruise ship operator’s Phase 2A agreements, including procedures for terminal check-in.
Cruise lines will need to run all regular onboard activities, including seating and meal service at dining and entertainment venues.
Passengers will take part in medical evacuation procedures.