Latest news with #DoNotTravel
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
U.S. Issues 'Do Not Travel' Warning on July 3
For the first time this July, the U.S. Department of State has issued its first "Do Not Travel" warning. The U.S. Department of State is tasked with analyzing the risks and necessary precautions for Americans traveling to foreign destinations. If there are any concerns regarding a given country, the government will hand out an advisory ranging from Level 1-4. If a country receives a Level 4 advisory, that means it's unsafe for Americans to travel there. Well, the U.S. Department of State placed a Level 4 travel advisory on Lebanon on July 3 due to "crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, unexploded landmines, and the risk of armed conflict." "The Department of State considers the threat to U.S. government personnel in Beirut serious enough to require them to live and work under strict security. The internal security policies of the U.S. Embassy may be adjusted at any time and without advance notice," the advisory for Lebanon states. "Since October 8, 2023, cross-border exchanges of fire have occurred between Hizballah and Israel. In some instances, targets have been well north of the border region. A cessation of hostilities between Israel and Lebanon went into effect on November 27, and implementation is ongoing; however, there are continued instances of military activity in some areas of Lebanon. The Lebanese government cannot guarantee the safety of U.S. citizens against sudden outbreaks of violence and armed conflict. Family, neighborhood, or sectarian disputes can escalate quickly and can lead to gunfire or other violence with no warning." If U.S. citizens travel to Lebanon, they're advised to appoint a family member to serve as their point of contact, keep travel documents up to date and easily accessible, avoid demonstrations and crowds, and monitor local media for breaking events. The full list of travel advisories from the U.S. Department of State can be seen here. U.S. Issues 'Do Not Travel' Warning on July 3 first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 3, 2025
Bloomberg
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Bloomberg
Supreme Court Clears Trump to Send Migrants to South Sudan
The US Supreme Court said the Trump administration is free to send eight migrants to South Sudan, rejecting a judge's interpretation of a recent high court decision. The new Supreme Court order comes even as lawyers for the men, now being held at a US military base in Djibouti, say they are at risk of torture and death. South Sudan is on the State Department's 'Do Not Travel' list amid an armed conflict.
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Travel + Leisure
10-06-2025
- Travel + Leisure
How the U.S. State Department's Travel Advisory Actually Works—and Whether or Not It Should Shape Your Travels
As of May 7, the U.S. Department of State has 21 countries listed on its "Do Not Travel" list. The list includes Afghanistan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Myanmar, North Korea, Russia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, Venezuela, and Yemen. Both North Korea and Burkina Faso were recently added due to increased concerns over wrongful detentions and terrorist activity. But how, exactly, does this list get made in the first place—and what should travelers really take away from it? The Department of State has issued its travel advisories since 1978, National Geographic reports. The program was initially launched with the intent of keeping airlines and travel companies informed, however, it has since evolved to be traveler-facing as well. The system, got a revamp in 2018, making it easy for all travelers to search advisories and warnings by country on the Department of State's website. The system, Carrie Pasquarello, a safety strategist and CEO of Global Secure Resources Inc., explained to Travel + Leisure , is broken down into four advisory levels to help people assess risk. "The first level is 'exercise normal precautions,' Level 2 means to 'exercise increased caution,' Level 3 is 'reconsider travel,' and Level 4 [means] 'do not travel,'' Pasquarello said. 'There are nine risk indicators that help the State Department decide which advisory level rating the country will receive.' These factors include everything from rates of crime and terrorism to natural disasters and occurrences of wrongful detention. Countries that are given a Level 1 and 2 rating are reviewed annually, while Level 3 and 4 countries are evaluated every six months. Understanding the risks, Pasquarello added, is key to determining whether visiting a location is worth it or not for travelers Travelers rushing around an airport departures areas. While travel advisories are widely respected, experts say it's critical to also understand the context in which they are given. Tom Abraham, the cofounder of the travel planning website World Travel Index, noted that "too often they are diplomatic, political, or logistical limitations in disguise more than they are on-the-ground conditions for travelers.' That's why many Level 3 and Level 4 countries often have subtler regional distinctions. 'Mexico is a prime example,' John Rose, chief risk advisor at Altour (a business travel management company), said. 'Some areas are marked as 'Do Not Travel,' while others, such as popular tourist regions, are classified as 'Exercise Normal Precautions.'" A man looking at his phone in the airport. FocusJust because a country has a Level 3 or Level 4 advisory doesn't mean it's entirely off-limits. 'The U.S. State Department's travel advisory system is a risk communication tool, not a mandate,' Gene Petrino, co-owner of the security consulting business Survival Response LLC, told T+L. 'They are broad-level assessments, not tailored to individual circumstances.' Still, a Level 4 should give travelers pause. 'Level 4 advisories should make you think twice,' Paul Stewart, founder of overseas luggage shipping company My Baggage, said. 'Those are not taken lightly and usually mean very serious safety concerns.' Pasquarello added that one of her own "tripwires" for deciding not to go to a destination is whether she would be able to be medically evacuated if need be. 'Medical evacuation memberships are often excluded from evacuation from Level 4 and some Level 3 destinations," she said. That means if you were injured in a nation with a Level 4 warning, you could be on your own. 'A Level 4 (Do Not Travel) advisory should be taken very seriously. It typically reflects extreme risk due to war, widespread crime, government instability, or a high likelihood of kidnapping or terrorism," Petrino said. As for Level 3? 'It doesn't automatically mean cancel,' Petrino said, 'But it does mean travelers should conduct serious, case-specific planning and risk mitigation.'All these experts unanimously agreed that government-issued advisories should only act as a starting point in understanding whether or not you should travel to a destination. ' "Astute travelers supplement State Department advisories with various sources of information,' Stewart said, who also recommends registering with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive real-time alerts. For Petrino, it's also worth it to dive into a destination's advisories before deciding to book—or not book—that upcoming trip. 'Security is layered,' Petrino said. "Most risks are manageable with the right mindset and preparation. Travel advisories are just one input ... Monitor local news, talk to hotel staff, and stay flexible. And most importantly, trust your instincts. If something feels off, it probably is.'
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Travel + Leisure
07-05-2025
- Travel + Leisure
The U.S. Has 21 Countries On Its 'Do Not Travel' List—What Travelers Should Know
The number of countries that the U.S. Department of State advises travelers to completely avoid has expanded. The State Department regularly issues and updates its travel advisories to reflect current recommendations for travelers. Recently, both Burkina Faso and North Korea have been added to its 'Do Not Travel' list, bringing the total number of countries the U.S. government recommends travelers avoid to 21. Do Not Travel, or Level 4, is the most severe of the four levels used by the State Department in its travel advisories. Level 1 recommends travelers should 'Exercise Normal Precautions,' Level 2 indicates travelers should 'Exercise Increased Caution,' and Level 3 recommends 'Reconsider Travel.' On April 16, the State Department updated Burkina Faso's travel advisory to reflect specific risk to dual nationals. 'For travelers with dual nationality, local authorities may not recognize your U.S. nationality if you are also a national of Burkina Faso,' the travel advisory states. It also draws attention to the risk of terrorism and kidnapping within the country for everyone. 'Terrorists may attack anywhere with little or no warning and may utilize various tactics including the use of common, commercially available items or the use of kidnapping for ransom.' North Korea's travel advisory, updated on April 29, warns against the risk of arrest and wrongful, long-term detention. 'Because the U.S. government does not have diplomatic relations with North Korea, it cannot provide direct help to U.S. citizens in North Korea in emergencies,' the advisory states. 'The Government of North Korea has subjected U.S. citizens to arbitrary entry and exit bans, expulsions, arrests, and other actions. The U.S. government cannot guarantee your release.' The other countries with a Level 4 rating are Yemen, Iran, South Sudan, Syria, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Central African Republic, Belarus, Iraq, Ukraine, Venezuela, Haiti, Libya, Somalia, Russia, Burma (Myanmar), Mali, and Sudan.
