The US State Department eased travel advisory ratings for the UK and Israel yesterday (Monday).
The change comes a month after officials raised both countries to the highest warning level due to Covid-19 concerns.
The State Department lowered the UK to a ‘Level 3: Reconsider Travel’ rating.
Israel dropped to ‘Level 2 – Exercise Increased Caution.’ It was the second reduction in Israel’s rating in recent weeks.
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The ratings of about 120 countries were heightened to ‘Level 4: Do Not Travel’ in April to align with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ratings.
About 150 of 209 destinations rated by the State Department are listed at Level 4.
The US has barred nearly all non-American citizens who have recently been in the UK from entering the country since March 2020.
The US was placed on the amber list of destinations when the government announced its traffic light system on Friday to reopen international travel from May 17.
Amber countries require ten days quarantine at home on return to England plus Covid testing.
A coalition of US and European travel, airline, union, business and airport bodies last week called for a full reopening of the US-UK air travel market “as soon as safely possible.”
Nearly all of Europe still bans most travellers from visiting.
More: US adds UK to ‘Do Not Travel’ list