The Key Travel Advisories Announced in January

by Patrick Clarke
Last updated: 8:00 PM ET, Mon January 30, 2023

The Latest Travel Advisories

1/6 The U.S. State Department opened the year by issuing at least a dozen different updated travel advisories for countries all around the world. The latest guidance ranges from Level 1: Excercise Normal Precautions to Level 4: Do Not Travel. As of January 30, Level 4 destinations include places like Iraq, Iran, Mali and Venezuela due to threats such as crime, kidnapping, terrorism and wrongful detentions, among others. Nonetheless, heading into February, the vast majority of countries around the world receive either a Level 1 or Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution travel advisory from the State Department, meaning travelers have plenty of choices in 2023. Here we'll catch you up on the most significant travel advisories issued over the past month.

Colombia - Level 3

2/6 The State Department issued a Level 3 travel advisory for Colombia on January 4, encouraging Americans to reconsider travel to the South American country due to crime and terrorism. Travelers are also advised to exercise increased caution in Colombia due to civil unrest and kidnapping. Visitors should avoid Arauca, Cauca (excluding Popayán) and Norte de Santander departments due to crime and terrorism and steer clear of the Colombia-Venezuela border region due to crime, kidnapping and risk of detention when crossing into Venezuela from Colombia.

The Cayman Islands - Level 1

3/6 In the Caribbean, the Cayman Islands received a Level 1 travel advisory on January 10. Visitors to the British Overseas Territory can continue to exercise normal precautions this winter.

China and Hong Kong - Level 3

4/6 The State Department recommends that Americans reconsider travel to China, including Hong Kong and Macau due to the destination's recent surge in COVID-19 cases in addition to the arbitrary enforcement of local laws. "Access to medical care, including treatment in hospitals and ambulance service, may be delayed or limited," officials warned in the January 11 update. "Exercise increased caution in China due to wrongful detentions."

Antarctica - Level 2

5/6 As of January 19, the State Department advises Americans to exercise increased caution in Antarctica due to environmental hazards posed by extreme and unpredictable weather and limited emergency services. Additionally, officials point out that "the U.S. government is unable to provide consular services to U.S. citizens in the Antarctic Region" as the nearest U.S Embassies and Consulates are located in Argentina, Australia, Chile, New Zealand and South Africa.

Nigeria - Level 3

6/6 Like Colombia and China, U.S. officials are advising Americans to reconsider travel to Nigeria due to the threat of crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping and maritime crime. The State Department also highlighted several areas visitors to Nigeria should avoid entirely, including Borno, Yobe, Kogi, and northern Adamawa states due to terrorism and kidnapping; Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, and Zamfara states due to kidnapping and coastal areas of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, and Rivers states (with the exception of Port Harcourt) due to crime, kidnapping and maritime crime.

The US State Department continues to monitor potential threats to travelers venturing abroad, issuing at least a dozen updated travel advisories in January.

Impacting TravelSlideshowsChinaCayman IslandsColombia

Disclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.