WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention moved a whopping 22 nations into its highest-risk travel category for Covid-19 on Tuesday, January 18. By contrast, it moved only two nations to Level 4, or “very high” risk, last week, according to a CNN report. Adding to the impact: The CDC also moved 22 additional  nations to its Level 3 category, which is considered “high” risk for Covid-19.

Among the nations moved to Level 4 this week were Argentina and Australia, which have maintained some of the strictest borders controls during most of the pandemic. The CDC places a destination at Level 4 when more than 500 cases per 100,000 residents are registered in the past 28 days. The CDC advises travelers to avoid travel to Level 4 countries. Egypt, where the Giza Pyramids are a huge tourist draw, moved into the CDC’s highest-risk category for travel on Tuesday.

The 22 new destinations, with at least one entry from every continent but Antarctica, at Level 4 are:

• Albania
• Argentina
• Australia
• Bahamas
• Bahrain
• Bermuda
• Bolivia
• British Virgin Islands
• Cape Verde
• Egypt
• Grenada
• Guyana
• Israel
• Panama
• Qatar
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Lucia
• São Tomé and Príncipe
• Sint Maarten
• Suriname
• Turks and Caicos Islands
• Uruguay