US State Department Issues 15 New Travel Advisories

Last Updated 3 years ago

The US State Department has issued 15 new travel advisories this week as part of its ongoing efforts to keep US travelers safe around the world.

Each travel advisory warning comes with a warning level, which ranges from Level 1, which serves as the least severe warning level, to Level 4, which is the most severe warning level and tells travelers explicitly not to visit a specific destination.

Whilst there is no clear-cut way to determine a country’s travel advisory level, a range of factors, from health issues to crime, are considered before a final level is given.

As well as a warning from the State Department, each travel advisory update also features a Travel Health Notice from the CDC. Like the State Department’s warnings, the CDC’s Travel Health Notices (THN) also range from Level 1 to 4, with Level 1 indicating a low level of Covid-19 in a country and Level 4 representing a very high level of Covid-19. The primary criteria for a country’s THN is as follows:

Level 4 Very High – more than 500 new cases over past 28 days per 100,000 population
Level 3 High – between 100-500 new cases over past 28 days per 100,000 population
Level 2 Moderate between – 50-99 new cases over past 28 days per 100,000 population
Level 1 Low – fewer than 50 new cases over past 28 days per 100,000 population

The full range of criteria can be found here.

Here’s a closer look at the new travel advisory warnings issued by the State Department this week, including why they were given and what their Travel Health Notice from the CDC is.

Level 4 Countries

Madagascar has been handed a Level 4 Travel Advisory by the State Department, citing both Covid-19 and crime as the reasons why. The country has not been given a THN, indicating an unknown level of Covid-19 in the country.

Hong Kong has been designated as a Level 4 country due to the arbitrary enforcement of local laws and Covid-19-related restrictions, as well as the risk of parents and children being separated. Hong Kong also has a Level 1 THN, indicating low levels of Covid-19 in the country.

Haiti is a Level 4 country due to kidnapping, crime, and civil unrest. The country also has a Level 1 THN, indicating low levels of Covid-19.

The French West Indies are also considered a Level 4 destination, with travelers told not to visit due to health and safety measures and COVID-related conditions. The islands that make up the French West Indies have been issued either Level 3 or 4 Travel Health Notices by the CDC.

Burma (Myanmar) has a Level 4 travel advisory, with travelers warned not to visit due to areas of civil unrest and armed conflict. The Covid-19 situation in the country is not a concern, with the country receiving a Level 1 THN from the CDC.

Burkina Faso is a Level 4 destination, with warnings not to travel due to Covid-19, terrorism, crime, and kidnapping. Burkina Faso has no THN, due to there being an unknown level of Covid-19 in the country.

Level 3 Countries

Saudi Arabia is a Level 3 country, with its page warning of both the threat of missile and drone attacks on civilian facilities and of terrorism. The country carries a Level 1 THN, due to its low level of Covid-19.

The latest update also sees the Philippines as a Level 3 destination, with travelers asked to reconsider travel due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping. The threat of Covid-19 is low, with the country receiving a Level 1 THN.

Level 3 country Guyana’s page warns of the threat of crime and Covid-19. The country carries a Level 2 THN, indicating a moderate level of Covid-19.

Egypt is also a Level 3 country, with its page warning travelers of terrorism and Covid-19. Its Level 3 THN indicates a high level of Covid-19 within the country.

China has been handed a Level 3 travel advisory due to arbitrary enforcement of local laws and Covid-19-related restrictions. However, the country’s Level 1 THN indicates a low level of Covid-19 in the country.

Beijing, China at the Imperial City north gate

Level 2 Countries

Jordan carries a Level 2 travel advisory warning due to terrorism, with its page warning of an increased threat in specific locations. The CDC has also determined that the country has a high level of Covid-19.

Bangladesh is a Level 2 country due to crime, terrorism, and kidnapping, but carries a Level 1 THN from the CDC.

Three more countries across three different continents have each recently relaxed their entry requirements, making it easier for travelers to be able to visit and adding to the rapidly expanding list of countries to cut their overall restrictions. Tunisia, Jordan and Cyprus have each removed their Covid-19 testing requirements for tourists, streamlining the entry process for travelers whilst also making each of them more affordable and attractive as a travel destination. With more and more countries making it easier to enter from abroad - and removing their local Covid-19 restrictions completely - all signs are pointing towards a bumper summer of travel after several years of disappointments and setbacks. Here’s a look at how the restrictions are changing in Tunisia, Jordan and Cyprus, plus a reminder of any other restrictions in these countries that travelers need to be aware of. Restrictions Changing - What Travelers Should Know Tunisia is making several changes to its restrictions that will see it go from being a country with some of the strictest restrictions to one that is much more relaxed. The North African country, famed for its ancient cities and structures, had previously required a 7-day stay in a quarantine hotel upon arrival, on top of a PCR test taken within 48 hours or an antigen test taken with 24 hours of departure - but now, entry is much smoother for travelers. The country has removed the Covid-19 testing requirement for fully vaccinated travelers completely - a change that has become popular around the world in recent weeks. On top of that, the nationwide curfew is now a thing of the past, giving travelers more time to enjoy all it has to offer. Travelers must still complete the Traveler Locator Form, whilst masks must still be worn in public spaces. Jordan too is set to introduce sweeping changes to its Covid-19 related entry requirements in the coming days that are bound to put it on the forefront of more traveler’s minds. The country, which is home to stellar attractions such as the Dead Sea and Petra, had previously had one of the most rigorous testing regimes around, which required travelers to perform tests prior to arrival, upon arrival and even a further test to get out of quarantine. Fortunately for travelers, these requirements are set to become a thing of the past. From March 1st, Jordan will be removing both its pre-flight PCR testing requirement and its arrival testing requirement for all travelers. Social distancing is still being enforced throughout the country, whilst travelers must wear a mask in public establishments, on public transportation, and in all government facilities. There is no curfew, and businesses are open as per usual. Cyprus is another country that has also seen a dramatic change of its entry requirements recently. Under the old restrictions, all travelers, regardless of their vaccination status, had to to either show a negative RT-PCR test report or self-quarantine upon arrival - restrictions that put many travelers off of the idea of visiting the European island. However, from February 21st, these restrictions changed. Now, travelers who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 do not need to take a test prior to flying to Cyprus - regardless of their nationality or their vaccination status. The country is also removing its temporary Omicron-related testing upon arrival requirement from February 28th. Unvaccinated travelers will face various entry requirements based on their country of departure. Face masks are still compulsory in the country, whilst travelers may need to use the Cyprus SafePass to enter some establishments. Read More: Jamaica To End Travel Authorization And Quarantine Requirements Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19 For 2022 Austria Reopens To Unvaccinated American Tourists

Level 1 Countries

Both Saint Kitts and Nevis and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are Level 1 countries according to both the State Department and the CDC, with no specific threats or risks highlighted.

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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.

L J

Wednesday 13th of April 2022

''To keep travellers safe...'' For crying out loud - let them keep THEMSELVES ''safe'' just as we always did. This is now a mild viral disease - time we got things into perspective.

Tina

Seriously tho, ultra-paranoid aside, does anyone still give two craps about "cases"