The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Monday urged Americans to avoid travel to Hong Kong, New Zealand and Thailand over COVID-19 cases.
The CDC elevated its travel recommendation to "Level Four: Very High" for the three destinations. In total, the CDC urges Americans to avoid travel to more than 130 countries and territories.
"Avoid travel to New Zealand. If you must travel to New Zealand, make sure you are vaccinated and up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines before travel," The CDC says.
It's not the first time the agency has suggested avoiding New Zealand during the pandemic. Last April The CDC urged citizens to "reconsider" travelling to Aoteroa. The warning was sparked by New Zealand's strict border controls at the time.
"Reconsider travel to New Zealand without prior authorisation from the New Zealand government. Entry restrictions are in place to prevent the introduction and spread of COVID-19 in New Zealand," The CDC said at the time.
The newest warning comes as New Zealand battles an outbreak of the highly infectious Omicron variant.
On Monday the Ministry of Health reported 17,522 new community cases, up from 15,161 on Sunday.
Reuters / Newshub
