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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.

  • Mon, 10 Dec 2018 16:28:51 +0000: France - Travel Advice Summary

    Latest update: Summary - revised information on protests

  • Mon, 10 Dec 2018 16:26:53 +0000: Belgium - Travel Advice Summary

    Latest update: Summary - removal of information about expected protests in Brussels on 8 December

  • Mon, 10 Dec 2018 14:06:29 +0000: Iraq - Travel Advice Summary

    Latest update: Safety and security section - updated information on protests in Basra earlier in 2018, and on internally displaced people in Dohuk, Kurdistan Region; Natural disasters section - addition of information on recent seismic activity

  • Mon, 10 Dec 2018 13:54:33 +0000: Togo - Travel Advice Summary

    Latest update: Summary - minor amendment to information on December elections

  • Sun, 09 Dec 2018 18:01:54 +0000: Ghana - Travel Advice Summary

    This advice has been reissued with additional information in the Safety & Security and Road Travel sections and the addition of a Natural Disasters section, with information on earthquakes.

Airport Safety

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

  • Mon, 10 Dec 2018 00:00:00 +0000: The Gambia - Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions - travel.state.gov: Travel Advisories

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

    Exercise increased caution in:

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

    If you decide to travel to The Gambia:

    Southern Border with Senegal

    Separatist groups have attacked travelers on roads south of The Gambia in the Casamance region of Senegal. Some landmines from the conflict remain in the border region.

  • Mon, 10 Dec 2018 00:00:00 +0000: Equatorial Guinea - Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions - travel.state.gov: Travel Advisories

    Exercise normal precautions in Equatorial Guinea. 

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

    If you decide to travel to Equatorial Guinea:

  • Mon, 10 Dec 2018 00:00:00 +0000: Marshall Islands - Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions - travel.state.gov: Travel Advisories

    Exercise normal precautions in the Marshall Islands.                                                                                          

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

    If you decide to travel to the Marshall Islands:

  • Mon, 10 Dec 2018 00:00:00 +0000: Russia - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution - travel.state.gov: Travel Advisories

    Exercise Increased Caution due to terrorism, harassment, and the arbitrary enforcement of local laws. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

    Do not travel to:

    • The north Caucasus, including Chechnya and Mount Elbrus, due to terrorism and risk of civil unrest.
    • Crimea due to Russia’s occupation of the Ukrainian territory and abuses by its occupying authorities.

    Terrorist groups, transnational and local terrorist organizations, and individuals inspired by extremist ideology continue plotting possible attacks in Russia. 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.

    U.S. citizens visiting or residing in Russia have been arbitrarily interrogated or detained by Russian officials and may become victims of harassment, mistreatment, and extortion. Russian officials may unreasonably delay U.S. consular assistance to detained U.S. citizens. Russian authorities arbitrarily enforce the law against U.S. citizen religious workers and open questionable criminal investigations against U.S. citizens engaged in religious activity.

    Russia enforces special restrictions on dual U.S.-Russian nationals and may refuse to acknowledge dual U.S.-Russia nationals’ U.S. citizenship, including denying U.S. consular assistance to detained dual nationals, and preventing their departure from Russia.

    Due to the Russian government-imposed reduction on U.S. diplomatic personnel in Russia, the U.S. government may have delayed ability to provide services to U.S. citizens, especially in the Saint Petersburg area.

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

    If you decide to travel to Russia:

    • Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust your plans based on news information.
    • Stay alert in locations frequented by Westerners.
    • Have travel documents up to date and easily accessible.
    • 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 Russia.
    • U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations and a plan to contact family to let them know you are safe. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.

    North Caucasus (including Chechnya and Mount Elbrus)

    Terrorist attacks and risk of civil unrest continue throughout the North Caucasus region including in Chechnya, North Ossetia, Ingushetia, Dagestan, Stavropol, Karachayevo-Cherkessiya, and Kabardino-Balkariya. Local gangs have kidnapped U.S. citizens and other foreigners for ransom. There have been credible reports of arrest, torture, and extrajudicial killing of LGBTI persons in Chechnya allegedly conducted by Chechen regional authorities.

    Do not attempt to climb Mount Elbrus, as travelers must pass close to volatile and insecure areas of the North Caucasus region.

    The U.S. government is unable to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens traveling in the North Caucasus region, including Mount Elbrus, as U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling to the region.

    Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.

    Crimea

    There is extensive Russian Federation military presence in Crimea. The Russian Federation is likely to take further military actions in Crimea as part of its occupation of this part of Ukraine. The international community, including the United States and Ukraine, does not recognize Russia’s purported annexation of Crimea. There are continuing abuses against foreigners and the local population by the occupation authorities in Crimea, particularly against those who are seen as challenging their authority on the peninsula.

    The U.S. government is unable to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens traveling in Crimea as U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling to Crimea.

    Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas. 

  • Thu, 06 Dec 2018 00:00:00 +0000: Togo - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution - travel.state.gov: Travel Advisories

    Exercise increased caution in Togo due to elections, crime, and civil unrest.

    Parliamentary elections in Togo are scheduled for December 20. In the past, political demonstrations intended to be peaceful escalated into violence. Togolese authorities may respond with force during violent demonstrations.

    Violent crime, such as carjacking, is common. Organized criminal activity, such as armed robbery, is also common. Criminals themselves are sometimes targeted for vigilante justice or lynching.

    There are frequent demonstrations in Togo, during which protesters and security force members have been injured and even killed. Police have used tear gas to disperse demonstrations that caused traffic disruptions in city centers and along National Route 1, and arrested demonstrators. Security forces have at times used excessive force to disperse crowds. Authorities have interrupted internet and cellular data services during past protests, making communication difficult and unpredictable.

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

    If you decide to travel to Togo:

    • Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
    • Do not display signs of wealth, such as expensive watches or jewelry.
    • Stay alert in locations frequented by Westerners.
    • Be extra vigilant when visiting banks or ATMs.
    • 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.
    • 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 Togo.
    • U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.

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