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The US has issued a new raft of travel advisory updates that include a range of destinations that are traditionally very popular with travelers from the US. The US Department of State has made several such updates to travel advisories throughout the course of this month already, ensuring Americans are made aware of potential health and safety issues as we look to be heading into a busy winter season of travel.
Despite Covid-19 levels appearing to be on a general downward trend around the world, the virus continues to dominate the pages of the travel advisories as one of the main threats that American travelers could run into on their trips. Here’s a look at which countries have seen their travel advisories updates, what issues travelers can expect to run into and whether or not travelers should pay much attention to the updates.
New Travel Advisories – What Travelers Should Know
A vital source of information for those traveling around the world, the State Department has been updating the travel advisory pages for destinations across the globe throughout the pandemic, despite the low numbers of travelers heading abroad. However, now that travel restrictions have begun to ease up once more – with large numbers of Americans expected to travel this winter – they have become a vital source of information once more for American travelers.
The most recent changes on the travel advisory website were posted on November 8th – the third time updates have been posted already this month. Monday's updates include a range of destinations around the world, as well as a variety of warning levels. Each of the travel advisory system's warning levels were represented, from Level 1 – which advises travelers to “exercise normal precautions” – to Level 4, which explicitly tells travelers not to travel to a specific country.
The most recent update to travel advisories saw 6 countries categorized at Level 4 destinations. Those counties are the Cayman Islands, Iran, Luxembourg, Madagascar, the Netherlands and Sudan. Whist most of those may not be traditional winter destinations, the likes of the Cayman Islands are often popular cruise stops, whilst travel figures to the Netherlands are expected to be sizable over the coming months. Covid-19 is the main reason for the Level 4 warning in most of the countries, though Sudan and Iran's pages also warn of the risk of crime, terrorism and kidnapping.
The following countries were handed Level 3 travel advisory warnings: Thailand, Sint Maarten, the Republic of the Congo, Guinea-Bissau and Cote D'Ivoire. Thailand, which is usually a popular destination for American travelers, has recently made it easier for foreign travelers to enter, and so those planning to visit the Land of Smiles should be aware of the relatively high levels of Covid-19 being reported.
Several countries were also handed Level 1 and Level 2 travel advisory updates – the lowest two levels the system has. Malawi was given Level 1 status, whilst Rwanda, Nepal and the United Arab Emirates were awarded Level 2 travel advisory warnings. Whilst Malawi's page has no warnk ga for travelers, Rwanda, Nepal and the UAE's pages ask travelers to exercise increased caution due to Covid-19.
Whilst they are not legally binding and cannot prevent a traveler from heading to a country if they wish to do so, travel advisories should be read carefully and taken seriously by travelers. Travelers should also ensure they have a good travel insurance policy to ensure they are protected throughout their trips.
Read More:
Thailand Now Open For Tourism To 63 Countries With Only 1 Night Isolation
UK Travelers Without Boosters Will Face Additional Travel Restrictions
Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19 For 2021
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Dennis Mahood
Wednesday 10th of November 2021
Do they still have Mexico at level 4. The state department is a bigger joke than the CDC.