The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has placed Mauritius in its highest-risk travel category. The CDC designated the Indian Ocean island nation as "Level 4 Very High" for COVID-19 risk after it reported a 189% increase in weekly cases, according to World Health Organization data.

CDC uses Travel Health Notices (THNs) to alert travelers and other audiences to health threats around the world and advise on how to protect themselves. On November 21, 2020, CDC adapted its 3-level notice system to a 4-level system for COVID-19 and updated criteria used to determine THN levels. The system was updated to align with the same incidence rate or case count thresholds adopted by recognized public health organizations and shares a common 4-level structure with the U.S. Department of State&rsquos Travel Advisory system.

Level 4 equals 'very high level of COVID-19'. And the CDC recommends that you avoid travel to this destination. Last week, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Thailand were added to Level 4. The CDC places a destination at 'Level 4 Covid-19 Very High' risk when more than 500 cases per 100,000 residents are registered in the past 28 days. The good news is the total number of countries at Level 4 has fallen for the third straight week - from 139 to 135, and now down to 126.