CDC warns Americans against travel to Sweden, other European hot spots

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is warning Americans to avoid traveling to several European countries including Sweden due to “very high” levels of COVID-19.

The CDC on Monday added Sweden, Malta and Moldova to its list of Level 4 countries — its highest risk category, indicating high levels of COVID-19 transmission.

“Avoid travel to Sweden,” the CDC said in its travel health notice. “If you must travel to Sweden, make sure you are fully vaccinated before travel.” 

The State Department has issued its own travel advisories for the three countries along with others such as Suriname, in northeastern South America.

Sweden’s government has banned nonessential travel from most countries outside of the European Union and European Economic Area through Jan. 31. 

Vaccinated travelers from the U.S. are exempt from the new restrictions if they must submit a negative COVID-19 test within two days of their trip to enter the country. 

According to Johns Hopkins University data, Sweden has reported 95,712 new COVID-19 cases over the past month.