Travel Alerts & Warnings

Your homeland government maintains a listing of travel and safety alerts with information and advice on developing situations that may affect the safety and well-being of travelers and vacationers. We use RSS feeds to attempt to maintain regularly updated information on the security, entry and exit requirements, health conditions, local laws and culture, natural disasters and climate, and how to find help when you are in a specific nation.

No matter where in the world you intend to travel, make sure you check your destination country’s travel advice and advisories page twice: once when you are planning your trip, and again shortly before you leave. If the region or the country you will be visiting becomes subject to a travel advisory, your travel health insurance or your trip cancellation insurance may be affected. You are solely responsible for your travel decisions.

▣ The following travel alerts and warnings have been issued to alert travelers of potential risks in certain countries and regions.

• Mon, 22 Apr 2019 15:33:37 +0000: Sri Lanka - Travel Advice Summary
  

  Latest Update: Summary and Terrorism section - updated information and advice about the threat from terrorism, reflecting an increased threat

• Mon, 22 Apr 2019 10:35:44 +0000: Philippines - Travel Advice Summary
  

  Summary - On Monday 22 April at around 5pm local time a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck north eastern Luzon. You should follow the advice of local security authorities and monitor local media reports.

• Thu, 18 Apr 2019 16:24:43 +0000: Portugal - Travel Advice Summary
  

  Latest update: Summary - Strike action by Portuguese fuel tank drivers ended on 18 April; until the availability of fuel returns to normal, travel within Portugal may be affected

• Thu, 18 Apr 2019 16:03:42 +0000: Benin - Travel Advice Summary
  

  Latest update: Summary and Safety and security (Political situation) - Legislative elections will take place on 28 April 2019; protests may be scheduled ahead of the elections and on election day; you should remain vigilant during this period, avoid crowds and demonstrations, monitor local media and follow the advice of local authorities

• Thu, 18 Apr 2019 15:34:13 +0000: Kenya - Travel Advice Summary
  

  Latest update: Health section - addition of information on cluster of cholera cases at Nairobi Hospital

▣ The following travel alerts and warnings have been issued to alert travelers of potential risks in certain countries and regions.

• Mon, 22 Apr 2019 00:00:00 +0000: United Kingdom - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution - travel.state.gov: Travel Advisories
  

  Exercise increased caution in the United Kingdom due to terrorism.

  Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in the United Kingdom. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas.

  There is also a risk of isolated violence by dissident groups in Northern Ireland, focused primarily on police and military targets.

  Read the Safety and Security section on the country information page.

  If you decide to travel to the United Kingdom:

  • Be aware of your surroundings when traveling to tourist locations and crowded public venues.
  • Follow the instructions of local authorities.
  • Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust your plans based on new information.
  • Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
  • Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
  • Review the Crime and Safety Report for the United Kingdom.
  • U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.

  Last Update: Reissued after periodic review without changes.

• Sun, 21 Apr 2019 00:00:00 +0000: Sri Lanka - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution - travel.state.gov: Travel Advisories
  

  Exercise increased caution in Sri Lanka due to terrorism. 

  Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Sri Lanka. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas.

  Read the Safety and Security section on the country information page. 

  If you decide to travel to Sri Lanka:

  • Be aware of your surroundings when traveling to tourist locations and crowded public venues.
  • Follow the instructions of local authorities.
  • Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust your plans based on new information.
  • Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
  • Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
  • Review the Crime and Safety Report for Sri Lanka.
  • U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.

  Last Update: Reissued with updates to Risk Indicator and Travel Advisory level.

• Thu, 18 Apr 2019 00:00:00 +0000: Republic of the Congo - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution - travel.state.gov: Travel Advisories
  

  Exercise increased caution in the Republic of the Congo due to crime and civil unrest.

  Reconsider Travel To:

  • The southern and western districts of the Pool Region due to potential civil unrest.  

  While not common, violent crime, such as armed robbery and assault, remains a concern throughout the Republic of the Congo.

  Political demonstrations can be unpredictable and violent.

  The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens outside Brazzaville. U.S. government employees must obtain special authorization to travel to the Pool Region because of ongoing violence. They must also obtain special permission to travel to Pointe Noire’s beaches due to crime.

  Read the Safety and Security section on the country information Page.

  If you decide to travel to the Republic of the Congo:

  • Avoid demonstrations.
  • Use caution when walking or driving at night.Always carry a copy of your U.S. passport and visa (if applicable). Keep original documents in a secure location.
  • Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
  • Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
  • Review the Crime and Safety Report for the Republic of the Congo.
  • U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.

  The Southern and Western Districts of the Pool Region—Level 4: Do Not Travel

  The December 2017 ceasefire in the Pool region is holding, but the potential for civil unrest exists. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in the Pool Region as U.S. government employees must obtain special authorization to travel to and through the area.

  Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.

  Last Update: Reissued after periodic review with minor edits.

• Tue, 16 Apr 2019 00:00:00 +0000: Oman - Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions - travel.state.gov: Travel Advisories
  

  Exercise normal precautions in Oman. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

  Do not travel to:

  • The Yemen border area due to terrorism and armed conflict.

  Read the Safety and Security section on the country information page.

  If you decide to travel to Oman:

  • Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
  • Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
  • Review the Crime and Safety Report for Oman.
  • U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.

  Yemen Border Area

  Terrorist attacks and violence continue in Yemen. Crossing the border into Yemen can be dangerous, and U.S. citizens who attempt to cross the Oman-Yemen border, from either Oman or Yemen, may be detained by Omani authorities.

  Visit our website for High-Risk Travelers.

  Last Update: Reissued after periodic review with updates to Level 4 areas.

• Mon, 15 Apr 2019 00:00:00 +0000: Turkmenistan - Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions - travel.state.gov: Travel Advisories
  

  Exercise normal precautions when traveling to Turkmenistan. 

  Please read the Safety and Security section on the country information page. 

  If you decide to travel to Turkmenistan:

  • Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
  • Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
  • Review the Crime and Safety Report for Turkmenistan.

  U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.

  Last Update: Reissued after periodic review with no edits.