Due to a heightened increase in the number of people infected with COVID-19 in Denmark and Germany, the United States issued a travel warning telling its citizens to avoid traveling to either country. Following a notification from the Atlanta-based Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Monday, the United States Department of State said a Level 4 (very high) warning was being issued for Denmark and Germany.
The two neighboring European Union countries saw their danger level go up after a sharp increase in the number of people becoming infected with the coronavirus. A level 4 warning is the highest warning level the Department of State issues. American citizens should avoid all travel to Denmark and Germany until the warning level is lowered or removed.
Nine European countries are at Level 4
As of today, the Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists 75 counties as being at Level 4 for COVID-19, of which nine of them are in Europe:
- Austria (currently under lockdown)
- Belgium
- Czech Republic
- Greece
- Ireland
- Norway
- Switzerland
- Romania
- United Kingdom
In its travel warning to Americans wishing to visit Denmark and Germany, the CDC added that the risk of catching COVID-19 and becoming very ill was reduced if you are fully vaccinated with a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved vaccine.
Germany and Denmark have a similar vaccination rate to the United States
Even though 70% of the population in Germany and Denmark have been vaccinated, a figure comparable with the United States, the infection rate in Europe is much higher. According to the Guardian, more than 38,000 cases of COVID-19 infections have been reported in the last 24 hours alone with hospital Intensive care units (ICUs) at or near capacity.
Due to an increase in cases, both Germany and Denmark have canceled all Christmas markets in a bid to halt the spread of the virus. Elsewhere in Europe, Austria has issued a nationwide lockdown after the COVID-19 incidence rate hit a record 1,110 per 100,000 people. Belgium and the Netherlands experienced rioting after telling their citizens that they would have to show proof of vaccination to enter certain businesses.
Proof of vaccination
According to the Guardian newspaper, Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte described the rioters as “idiots.” His Belgian counterpart, Alexander de Croo, called the violence “absolutely unacceptable.” Meanwhile, German health minister, Jens Spahn, made an alarming statement when he said last week that most people in Germany would either be vaccinated, cured or dead by the end of the winter.
In Eastern Europe, where the number of vaccinated people is much lower, hospitals have trouble coping with an increase in COVID-19 patients leading to some of the world’s highest mortality rates. On Monday, both the Czech Republic and Slovakia told their citizens that they would be required to show proof of vaccination to go to a pub or restaurant.
Elsewhere in Europe, it is increasingly likely that people will need to show that they are vaccinated if they want to attend concerts, sporting events, or go out for a drink or a meal. Even in Spain, where around 90% of the population is fully vaccinated, the talk is that regional governments will impose new COVID-19 restrictions before next month’s bridge holiday on December 6th.
What do you think about showing proof of being vaccinated? Is it a good thing that will make more people get vaccinated or an infringement of your rights? Please tell us what you think in the comments.
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