The State Department issued a travel advisory Monday warning against travel to Japan, where Covid-19 infection rates are rising about two months before Tokyo hosts the Summer Olympic Games.
The "Level 4: Do Not Travel" guidance does not specifically mention the Olympics, which were delayed last year and are set to begin July 23. Case numbers have been rising in Japan as the government has begun vaccinating health care workers and people ages 65 and up.
The country has had over 36,000 Covid-19 cases and 779 deaths in the last seven days and nearly 716,000 cases overall, according to an NBC News tally. Japan, where over 12,000 people have died overall, is also still under a state of emergency as it prepares to welcome 11,000 athletes from 200 nations and territories.
The State Department noted that travel for tourism and other short-term purposes is still not permitted in Japan. Visa-free travel is also suspended. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also updated a travel advisory Monday warning against traveling to Japan.
"Travelers should avoid all travel to Japan," the CDC said. "Because of the current situation in Japan even fully vaccinated travelers may be at risk for getting and spreading COVID-19 variants and should avoid all travel to Japan."
The agency added, "If you must travel to Japan, get fully vaccinated before travel."
NBC will broadcast the Tokyo Games, which were postponed last summer because of the pandemic.
John Coates, vice president of the International Olympic Committee, said Friday that the games will be safe.
"I can say it's now clearer than ever these games would be safe for everyone participating and safe for the people of Japan," Coates said in a virtual news conference, Reuters reported. "After eight years of hard work and planning, the finish line is within touching distance."
