The CDC and State Department are advising against travel to the U.K. due to a surge in local COVID-19 cases.

It seems the eagerly awaited travel corridor between the U.S. and U.K. is now in jeopardy.

On Monday, the U.S. government urged travelers to steer clear of the U.K. due to a concerning rise in coronavirus cases, coinciding with the relaxation of nearly all COVID-19 measures by U.K. officials. The CDC has updated its advisory, moving the U.K. to Level 4, warning that even fully vaccinated travelers might be at risk for contracting and spreading COVID-19 variants.

The State Department has escalated its warning by placing the U.K. on the Level 4: Do Not Travel list. Their advisory states, "Do not travel to the United Kingdom due to COVID-19," coinciding with the British government's declaration of "Freedom Day," when it lifted most remaining COVID-19 restrictions in England to revive the economy.

The U.K. is facing a resurgence driven by the Delta variant, with approximately 45,000 new cases reported daily. However, unlike the previous wave, the number of coronavirus deaths in the U.K. is significantly lower than what was seen last winter.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, currently in isolation after a government official tested positive, expressed his reluctance to close down Britain's nightlife. However, he announced that by the end of September, new regulations will require proof of vaccination for entry into nightclubs and other crowded venues like concert halls.

U.S. travel guidance seems to dampen any immediate hopes for a resurgence of tourism in the U.K., especially with American travelers leading the charge, as visiting a high-risk country may dissuade many from planning vacations.

The CDC has also included the British Virgin Islands and Fiji on its Level 4 list.

These warnings serve as advisories and are not mandatory, yet they complicate international travel significantly. Americans who find it necessary to visit the U.K. for essential reasons are strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated beforehand. Since the U.S. is classified under the amber list, travelers from the U.S. will be required to self-isolate for 10 days upon arrival, as only those vaccinated in the U.K. are exempt from quarantine since July 19.

Travelers should be mindful that visiting a country on the Level 4 advisory list may void their travel insurance policies, posing a substantial risk when going abroad. TPG provides a detailed overview of insurance policies that we recommend reviewing. Ultimately, the key takeaway is that most insurance providers include clauses that invalidate coverage if you travel to destinations where non-essential travel is advised against.