By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), on Monday warned against traveling to six territories and countries including South Korea and Azerbaijan due to COVID-19.

The CDC added Comoros and French Polynesia to the “Level Four: Very high” risk list.

U.S. State Department increased Monday’s travel advisory rating to South Korea, Indonesia, and Azerbaijan “Level 4: No Travel”

CDC currently lists 140 countries or territories as having the highest alert level. This includes Canada, Europe, and nearly all of Latin America. However, COVID levels are still very high due to Omicron variation decline.

50 territories or countries are listed as “Level Three High” by the CDC, which discourages non-essential travel for Americans who have not been vaccinated. There are only 11 destinations, which include New Zealand and Pakistan as well as Taiwan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Pakistan.

The CDC has another 40 unknown destinations and recommends that you avoid traveling there if you are not vaccinated.

Some officials in the industry believe that the CDC’s travel advice is a contributing factor to the low international travel demand.

Major airlines and business groups, as well as travel organizations, urged President Obama to eliminate COVID-19 predeparture testing requirements that apply to international travelers who are vaccinated before they fly to the United States.