I’m scheduled to travel to Albania in late May for a week and a half. However, I just saw that the State Department has elevated its travel advisory for Albania to level 4, meaning “Do Not Travel.” At this point, I’m trying to determine how to proceed — whether to cancel now, still plan to go, change my destination, etc. I’m vaccinated, plan to visit mostly rural areas in Albania and will maintain social distance. I welcome any feedback, advice or recommendations on what to do. Thank you in advance.
Posted by
Reading, PA, USA
1637 posts
It must be for some reason other than COVID because their current new cases rate is less than 1/3 of the rate in the US.
Posted by
Southeast US
4027 posts
The Statement Department is making 80% of the world level 4, up from around 17% a day or two ago.
From the article:
The State Department said the move does not imply a reassessment of
current health situations in some countries, but rather "reflects an
adjustment in the State Department's Travel Advisory system to rely
more on (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's) existing
epidemiological assessments."
So... what changed? Pretty much nothing.
Posted by
Washington DC Region, USA
7053 posts
It must be for some reason other than COVID because their current new
cases rate is less than 1/3 of the rate in the US.
I don't know how anyone can draw that conclusion since the capacity of the health infrastructures between the US and Albania are not the same. One may not need the same number of cases for their infrastructure to potentially become compromised.
In answer to the OP's question, I personally wouldn't feel comfortable traveling to a place where there is a large unvaccinated population or high case load. There is no magical "better" destination to recommend since the world in general is still at the beginning stage of trying to vaccinate people (and many countries have no vaccines at all). Only a few countries are doing relatively well.
Posted by
West Coast
302 posts
Level 4 can apply to civil unrest and natural disasters- it might simplify your decision if you ask yourself, were it not Covid, and Albania was just elevated by the US State Department to a 4 for another reason- would you still go? More complicated, I think, personally is that the CDC has said domestic travel within the US for the fully vaccinated is ok- but you really shouldn't. Even though you can...but please, don't! I would much rather heed a specific no than a waffling, well....if you are going to take government directives into account.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
19960 posts
I checked with an acquaintance in Albania. No significant changes in politics or civil unrest. I was there in late September. Great trip. Level 3 or Level 4? You decide if you still want to go. As I am vaccinated I would feel safe enough to travel.