The United States Department of State has issued a level 4 travel advisory for South Africa, “strongly recommending” that US citizens reconsider their travels abroad, dubbing the rainbow nation as a “no go” area.

In a statement published this week, the department said Covid-19 advisories indicated a very high level of COVID-19 in the country. While also taking into account logistical factors such as in-country testing availability and current travel restrictions for US citizens.

According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, travellers should avoid all travel to South Africa.

“Because of the current situation in South Africa even fully vaccinated travellers may be at risk for getting and spreading COVID-19 variants and should avoid all travel to South Africa.”

“This does not imply a reassessment of the current health situation in a given country, but rather reflects an adjustment in the State Department’s travel advisory system to rely more on Centre for Disease Control and Prevention’s existing epidemiological assessments,” it said.

The notice, which was issued on April 20th, also warns against violent crimes in South Africa which contributed to the level 4 ranking.

“Other issues such as violent crime, armed robbery, rape, carjacking, mugging, and smash-and-grab attacks on vehicles were also raised as points of concern in the notice.”

The advisory also mentions strike action in the country that could affect transportation and cause traffic as it happens without any notice.

“Demonstrations, protests, and strikes occur frequently. These can develop quickly without prior notification, often interrupting traffic, transportation, and other services; such events have the potential to turn violent.”

The United States is one of many countries that have South Africa on its so-called “Red List”, the Seychelles, Spain and the UK are all countries that have barred South African travellers from entering based on the 501Y.V2 variant of Covid-19, which has been referred to as the “South African variant” abroad – an indicator that the country may suffer unfair reputational due to the variant.

Level 4 is the highest level that a country can be issued and at least 80% of countries around the world have received the ranking in spite of vaccine roll-outs currently underway.