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.

• Thu, 22 Aug 2019 15:23:30 +0000: Montserrat - Travel Advice Summary
  

  This advice has been reviewed in full with editorial amendments

• Thu, 22 Aug 2019 15:12:33 +0000: St Vincent and the Grenadines - Travel Advice Summary
  

  Summary - update to information about the availability of consular support

• Thu, 22 Aug 2019 12:09:06 +0000: Turks and Caicos Islands - Travel Advice Summary
  

  This advice has been reviewed in full and reissued without amendment

• Thu, 22 Aug 2019 12:01:20 +0000: Anguilla - Travel Advice Summary
  

  This advice has been reviewed in full and reissued without amendment

• Thu, 22 Aug 2019 10:09:17 +0000: Iraq - Travel Advice Summary
  

  Terrorism section (Kidnap) - updated information and advice on the threat from kidnapping in Iraq

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

• Thu, 22 Aug 2019 00:00:00 +0000: Malawi - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution - travel.state.gov: Travel Advisories
  

  Exercise increased caution in Malawi due to civil unrest.

  Scheduled political demonstrations have recently occurred in several cities and towns in Malawi. On occasion, acts of vandalism and looting have accompanied these demonstrations, and police have responded by deploying tear gas.

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

  If you decide to travel to Malawi:

  • Avoid demonstrations and crowds.
  • Monitor local media for breaking events and be prepared to adjust your plans.
  • Keep travel documents up to date and easily accessible.
  • 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 Malawi.
  • 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 a Risk Indicator and Travel Advisory level.

• Thu, 22 Aug 2019 00:00:00 +0000: Hungary - Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions - travel.state.gov: Travel Advisories
  

  Exercise normal precautions in Hungary. 

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

  If you decide to travel to Hungary:

  • 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 Hungary.
  • 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.

• Wed, 21 Aug 2019 00:00:00 +0000: Cyprus - Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions - travel.state.gov: Travel Advisories
  

  Exercise normal precautions when traveling in Cyprus.

  Do not attempt to enter the United Nations buffer zone at any place other than a designated crossing point. Police and UN forces strictly enforce this restriction. Read the Safety and Security section on the country information page.

  If you decide to travel to Cyprus:

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

  UN Buffer Zone: Since 1974, the southern part of Cyprus has been under the control of the government of the Republic of Cyprus. The northern part of Cyprus, administered by Turkish Cypriots, proclaimed itself the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” (“TRNC”) in 1983. The United States does not recognize the “TRNC,” nor does any country other than Turkey. A buffer zone patrolled by the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus, separates the two sides. For U.S. citizen travelers:

  • Enter and exit the Republic of Cyprus ONLY at Larnaca and Paphos airports and at the seaports of Limassol, Larnaca, and Paphos. The Republic of Cyprus does not consider entry at Ercan Airport in the north to be a “legal” entrance into Cyprus.
  • You cannot receive a residency permit from the Republic of Cyprus to reside in the area north of the UN buffer zone.

  Last Update: Reissued after periodic review with minor edits.

• Tue, 20 Aug 2019 00:00:00 +0000: Cote d Ivoire - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution - travel.state.gov: Travel Advisories
  

  Exercise increased caution in Cote d’Ivoire due to crime and terrorism. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

  Reconsider Travel To:

  • Northern border region due to terrorism.

  Violent crime, such as carjacking, robbery, and home invasion, is common.

  Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting areas frequented by foreigners, such as beaches.

  The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens outside of Abidjan. Embassy personnel are prohibited from driving outside the major cities after dark, including between Abidjan, Grand Bassam, and Assinie.

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

  If you decide to travel to Cote d’Ivoire:

  • Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust your plans based on new information.
  • Stay alert in locations frequented by Westerners.
  • Carry a copy of your passport and visa (if applicable) and leave originals in your hotel safe.
  • 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 Cote d’Ivoire.
  • U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.

  Northern Border Region – Level 3: Reconsider Travel

  Extremist groups have carried out attacks in adjacent areas of Mali and Burkina Faso. Increased caution and security procedures should be exercised in remote areas adjacent to the northern border.

  Last Update: Reissued after periodic review with updates to the Level 3 area.

• Tue, 20 Aug 2019 00:00:00 +0000: Ethiopia - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution - travel.state.gov: Travel Advisories
  

  Exercise increased caution when traveling in Ethiopia due to sporadic civil unrest and communications disruptions. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

  Do Not Travel To:

  • Border area with Somalia due to potential for terrorism, kidnapping, and landmines.
  • Border areas with Kenya, Sudan, South Sudan, and Eritrea due to crime, armed conflict, and civil unrest.

  Reconsider Travel To:

  • Somali Regional State due to potential for terrorism.
  • Ethiopia’s Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People’s Region (SNNPR) due to civil unrest.
  • The East Hararge region and the Guji zone of Oromia State due to armed conflict and civil unrest.
  • Benishangul Gumuz and the western part of Oromia State due to armed conflict and civil unrest.

  Incidents of civil unrest and ethnic violence may occur without warning.

  The Government of Ethiopia has restricted or shut down internet, cellular data, and phone services during and after civil unrest. These restrictions impede the U.S. Embassy’s ability to communicate with, and provide consular services to, U.S. citizens in Ethiopia.

  The U.S. Embassy has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens outside of Addis Ababa. As a precaution, U.S. government personnel must request permission for any travel outside of Addis Ababa (personal and official), and are required to carry personnel tracking devices and, in some cases, satellite phones.

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

  If you decide to travel to Ethiopia:

  • Monitor local media for breaking events and be prepared to adjust your plans.
  • Be aware of your surroundings.
  • Stay alert in locations frequented by Westerners.
  • Carry a copy of your passport and visa and leave originals in your hotel safe.
  • Have evacuation plans that do not rely on U.S. government assistance.
  • 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 Ethiopia.
  • U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.

  Border Area with Somalia—Level 4: Do Not Travel

  Terrorists maintain a presence in Somali towns near the Ethiopian border, presenting a risk of cross-border attacks and kidnappings.

  Landmines are present in this region.

  Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.

  Border Areas with Kenya, Sudan, South Sudan, and Eritrea—Level 4: Do Not Travel

  Crime, armed conflict, and the potential for ethnic conflict exist near the Ethiopian borders with Kenya, Sudan, South Sudan, and Eritrea.

  Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.

  Somali Regional State—Level 3: Reconsider Travel

  Somali Regional State is close in proximity to terrorist organizations in Somalia, which have aspirations to conduct terrorist attacks in Ethiopia.

  Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.

  Ethiopia’s Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People’s Region (SNNPR)—Level 3: Reconsider Travel

  Civil unrest in the region has resulted in deaths, looting, and the burning of buildings.

  Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.

  The East Hararge Region and Guji Zone of Oromia State—Level 3: Reconsider Travel

  Civil unrest and armed conflict have resulted in injuries and deaths in parts of Oromia State. Government security forces have used lethal force in some areas.

  Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.

  Benishangul Gumuz and the western part of Oromia State—Level 3: Reconsider Travel

  Civil unrest and armed conflict have resulted in injuries and deaths around the border between Benishangul Gumuz and the western part of Oromia State. Government security forces have used lethal force in some areas.

  Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.

  Last Update: Reissued with updates to Level 3 and 4 areas.