With Olympics looming, US advises against travel to Japan due to COVID-19

Reuters

Published May 24, 2021 01:44PM ET

Updated May 25, 2021 02:36AM ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. State Department on Monday urged against travel to Japan because of a new wave of coronavirus cases just two months before the Tokyo Olympics are set to begin.

The department also issued its "Level 4" warning against travel to Sri Lanka amid surging infections there. It saw a lower risk in visiting the Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda , lowering the islands to a "Level 3 – Reconsider Travel" designation.

The U.S. "Do Not Travel" advisory and guidance for Japan did not mention the Olympics specifically but warned against visiting the country now. A top Olympic official last week said the Games would start as planned on July 23 even under a state of emergency after being postponed in 2020 during the pandemic.

"Travelers (NYSE:TRV) should avoid all travel to Japan," the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in new guidance. "Because of the current situation in Japan even fully vaccinated travelers may be at risk for getting and spreading COVID-19 variants and should avoid all travel to Japan."