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Travel Alerts & Warnings

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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.

  • Fri, 22 Feb 2019 14:59:47 +0000: Algeria - Travel Advice Summary

    Latest update: Safety and security section (Political situation) - addition of information on presidential elections to be held on 18 April 2019; more political gatherings and demonstrations are expected in the run up to and around the elections

  • Fri, 22 Feb 2019 10:05:49 +0000: Niger - Travel Advice Summary

    Latest update: Safety and security section (Local travel) - addition of information on the state of emergency in the urban municipality of Tillabéri, which came into effect on 13 February; Safety and security section (Road travel) - addition of information on International Driving Permit changes from 28 March 2019

  • Fri, 22 Feb 2019 09:55:14 +0000: Curaçao - Travel Advice Summary

    Latest update: Summary - addition of information on closure of border between Curaçao and Venezuela

  • Fri, 22 Feb 2019 09:54:12 +0000: Bonaire/St Eustatius/Saba - Travel Advice Summary

    Latest update: Summary - addition of information on closure of border between Bonaire and Venezuela

  • Fri, 22 Feb 2019 09:53:30 +0000: Aruba - Travel Advice Summary

    Latest update: Summary - addition of information on closure of border between Aruba and Venezuela

Airport Safety

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

  • Fri, 22 Feb 2019 00:00:00 +0000: Solomon Islands - Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions - travel.state.gov: Travel Advisories

    Exercise normal precautions in Solomon Islands.

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

    If you decide to travel to Solomon Islands:

    Reissued after periodic review with no changes.

  • Thu, 21 Feb 2019 00:00:00 +0000: Saudi Arabia - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution - travel.state.gov: Travel Advisories

    Exercise increased caution in Saudi Arabia due to terrorism and the threat of missile and drone attacks on civilian targets.   

    Do not travel to:

    • Within 50 miles of the border with Yemen due to terrorism and armed conflict.

    Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Saudi Arabia.  Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities.  Terrorists have targeted both Saudi and Western government interests, mosques and other religious sites (both Sunni and Shia), and places frequented by U.S. citizens and other Westerners.

    Rebel groups operating in Yemen have fired missiles and rockets into Saudi Arabia, specifically targeting populated areas and civilian infrastructure; they have publicly stated their intent to continue doing so.  Missile attacks have targeted major cities such as Riyadh and Jeddah, Riyadh’s international airport, Saudi Aramco facilities, and vessels in Red Sea shipping lanes.  Rebel groups are also in possession of unmanned aerial systems (drones) which they have used to target civilian infrastructure and military facilities in Saudi Arabia.  U.S. citizens living and working on or near such installations, particularly in areas near the border with Yemen, are at heightened risk of missile and drone attack.

    The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in the following locations as U.S. government personnel and their families are restricted from travel to:

    • Within 50 miles of the Saudi-Yemen border, including the cities of Jizan and Najran;
    • Qatif in the Eastern province and its suburbs, including Awamiyah; and
    • Hofuf and its suburbs in the al Hasa governorate.

    Read the Safety and Security section on the Country Information page.

    If you decide to travel to Saudi Arabia:

    • Stay alert in locations frequented by Westerners.
    • Obtain comprehensive medical insurance that includes medical evacuation.
    • 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 Reports for Saudi Arabia.
    • U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations.  Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
    • Yemen Border

    Violence in Yemen has spilled over into Saudi Arabia on a number of occasions.  Rebel forces in Yemen fire artillery at Saudi border towns and launch cross-border attacks against Saudi military personnel.  Civilians who are near the border with Yemen are at risk.

    The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens within 50 miles of the Saudi-Yemen border as U.S. government personnel and their families are restricted from travel to this area.

    Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas

  • Wed, 20 Feb 2019 00:00:00 +0000: Senegal - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution - travel.state.gov: Travel Advisories

    Exercise increased caution in Senegal due to elections, crime, and landmines.  Read the entire Travel Advisory.

    Presidential elections in Senegal are scheduled for February 24, 2019. If no candidate wins a majority during the initial balloting, a second round will be held, either on March 10, March 17, or March 24, with March 17 the most likely date.

    Tensions are typically heightened during campaign and election periods, and some election-related demonstrations and other activities have resulted in violence.  The Senegalese government may impose travel restrictions as the elections approaches, sometimes without notice, which may affect travel plans.  Expect additional police and military checkpoints and possible road blocks throughout the country during the campaign period and election day itself.  Regular road travel between regions is prohibited on election days.

    Armed individuals have set up roadblocks and attacked travelers on roads south of The Gambia in the Casamance region of Senegal.

    Land mines from prior conflicts remain in the Casamance Region.

    The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in this area. U.S. government employees are prohibited from travelling on National Route 4 south of Ziguinchor, on Route 20 between Ziguinchor and Cap Skirring, and on unpaved roads without armed escorts.  U.S. government employees are also prohibited from travelling after dark.

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

    If you decide to travel to Senegal:

    Last Update:  Reissued with updates to the Travel Advisory Level and Risk Indicators.

  • Tue, 19 Feb 2019 00:00:00 +0000: Rwanda - Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions - travel.state.gov: Travel Advisories

    Exercise normal precautions in Rwanda.

    If you plan to enter the Democratic Republic of the Congo, read the Democratic Republic of the Congo Travel Advisory.

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

    If you decide to travel to Rwanda:

    Last Update: Reissued after periodic review with minor edits.

  • Thu, 14 Feb 2019 00:00:00 +0000: Turkey - Level 3: Reconsider Travel - travel.state.gov: Travel Advisories

    Reconsider travel to Turkey due to terrorism and arbitrary detentions. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

    Do not travel to:

    • Areas near the Syria and Iraq borders due to terrorism.

    Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Turkey. 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. Terrorists have also previously targeted Western tourists and expatriates.

    Security forces have detained tens of thousands of individuals, including U.S. citizens, for alleged affiliations with terrorist organizations based on scant or secret evidence and grounds that appear to be politically motivated. U.S. citizens have also been subject to travel bans that prevent them from departing Turkey. Participation in demonstrations not explicitly approved by the Government of Turkey, as well as criticism of the government, including on social media, can result in arrest.

    The U.S. government has very limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens traveling in Batman, Bingol, Bitlis, Diyarbakir, Gaziantep, Hakkari, Hatay, Kilis, Mardin, Sanliurfa, Siirt, Sirnak, Tunceli, and Van, as the U.S. government restricts its employees from traveling to specific provinces in these regions without prior approval.

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

    If you decide to travel to Turkey:

    • Stay alert in locations frequented by Westerners.
    • Avoid demonstrations and crowds.
    • Stay at hotels with identifiable security measures.
    • Monitor local media and adjust your plans based on new information.
    • Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
    • 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 Turkey.
    • U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.

    Areas Near Syrian and Iraq Borders – Level 4: Do Not Travel

    Do not travel near the Turkey/Syria and Turkey/Iraq borders due to the continued threat of civil war in Syria and attacks by terrorist groups. Terrorist attacks, including suicide bombings, ambushes, car bomb detonations, and improvised explosive devices, as well as shootings, roadblocks, and violent demonstrations have occurred in these areas.

    Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.

    Last Update: Reissued after periodic review with edits to information on terrorism and areas near Syrian and Iraq Borders.

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