The U.S. government has issued a travel advisory for any Americans heading to New Zealand to "exercise increased caution" in the Antipodean country because of the risk Covid-19.

This is despite the fact that New Zealand only has 23 "active" cases as of August 7, and all are currently under isolation, according to the NZ Herald. 

The total number of confirmed and probable cases in New Zealand stands at 1,569, with 22 deaths so far. There are zero people currently being treated for Covid-19 in hospitals.

"Exercise increased caution"

In contrast, the U.S. has over 4.89 million cases, with at least 159,500 deaths, according to the New York Times.

The alert, issued on Aug. 6 by the State Department, is second in severity of the four levels.

For example, Macau has been given a Level 1 Travel Advisory, while Afghanistan has a Level 4 Travel Advisory.

However, it notes that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have given New Zealand a Level 1 Travel Health Notice, with a low risk of Covid-19.

This means, "CDC recommends that older adults, people of any age with certain underlying medical conditions, and others at increased risk for severe illness talk to their healthcare providers before traveling to the following destinations."

Meanwhile, Singapore has been given a Level 3 "reconsider travel" advisory by the State Department, with the CDC also giving a Level 3 warning.

This means "CDC recommends that travelers avoid all non-essential travel to the following destination".

Top image from Reuters YouTube and Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images.