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COVID-19 international travel advisories

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Find the best country for you: », places the u.s. government warns not to travel right now.

You may want to reconsider traveling to these countries right now.

Do Not Travel to These Countries

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Crime, civil unrest and terrorism are common risk factors for countries that end up on the State Department's "Do Not Travel" advisory list.

In 2024, tourism across the globe is “well on track” to return to pre-pandemic levels, according to projections by UN Tourism.

Global conflicts and natural disasters , ranging from a series of coups across Africa to catastrophic earthquakes in the Middle East affected international travel patterns throughout 2023. Still, international tourist arrivals reached 87% of pre-pandemic levels in 2023, according to estimates by UN Tourism .

In January 2024 alone, about 4.6 million U.S. citizens left the country for international destinations, 17% higher than the same month in 2019, according to the International Trade Administration . But some destinations warrant more caution than others.

On Oct. 19, 2023, following the outbreak of war between Israel and Gaza and flaring tensions in the region, the U.S. State Department issued a worldwide caution advisory due to “increased tensions in various locations around the world, the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests.” Prior to this update, the most recent worldwide caution advisory was issued in 2022 after a U.S. strike killed Ayman al-Zawahiri, Osama bin Laden’s successor as leader of Al Qaeda, causing “a higher potential for anti-American violence.” The worldwide caution advisory remains in effect.

The U.S. State Department also issues individual travel advisory levels for more than 200 countries globally, continually updating them based on a variety of risk indicators such as health, terrorism and civil unrest. Travel advisory levels range from Level 1, which means exercise normal precautions, to Level 4, which means do not travel there.

About 10% of countries – 19 total – have a Level 4: “Do Not Travel” advisory as of Mar. 4. In Level 4 countries, the U.S. government may have “very limited ability” to step in should travelers’ safety or security be at risk, according to the State Department. Crime, civil unrest, kidnapping and terrorism are common risk factors associated with Level 4 countries.

So far in 2024, the State Department made changes to the existing Level 4 advisories for Myanmar, Iran and Gaza, and moved Niger and Lebanon off of the Level 4 list.

Places With a Level 4 Travel Advisory

These are the primary areas the U.S. government says not to travel to right now, in alphabetical order:

Jump to Place: Afghanistan Belarus Burkina Faso Central African Republic Myanmar (formerly Burma) Gaza Haiti Iran Iraq Libya Mali Mexico North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) Russia Somalia South Sudan Sudan Syria Ukraine Venezuela Yemen

Afghanistan: The Central Asian country is wrestling with “terrorism, risk of wrongful detention, kidnapping and crime,” according to the State Department. U.S. citizens are specifically at risk for wrongful detention and kidnapping. In 2022, the government reinstituted public floggings and executions, and women’s rights are disappearing under Taliban control. The U.S. Embassy in Kabul halted operations in August 2021. Since the Taliban took control , many forms of international aid have been halted . Meanwhile, in 2023, some of the year’s deadliest earthquakes killed more than 2,400 in Afghanistan while the country continues to face a years-long extreme drought.

Belarus: Belarus, which shares a western border with Russia and a southern border with Ukraine, has been flagged for “Belarusian authorities’ continued facilitation of Russia’s war against Ukraine, the buildup of Russian military forces in Belarus, the arbitrary enforcement of local laws, the potential of civil unrest, the risk of detention, and the Embassy’s limited ability to assist U.S. citizens residing in or traveling to Belarus.” The U.S. Embassy in Minsk halted operations in February 2022.

Burkina Faso: Terrorism, crime and kidnapping are plaguing this West African nation. Terrorist attacks may target hotels, restaurants and schools with little to no warning, and the East and Sahel regions of the country are under a state of emergency. In late November 2023, hundreds died in clashes between state security forces and rebels near the country’s border with Mali. In June, more than 2 million people in Burkina Faso were displaced due to “violence linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group.”

Central African Republic: While there have not been specific incidents of U.S. citizens targeted with violence or crime, violent crime and sudden closure of roads and borders is common. The advisory states that “Embassy Bangui’s limited capacity to provide support to U.S. citizens, crime, civil unrest, and kidnapping” is a factor in its assessment. Recent data from UNICEF suggests the country has the worst drinking water accessibility of all countries in 2022.

Myanmar (Formerly Burma): Armed conflict and civil unrest are the primary reasons to not travel to this Southeast Asian country, which experienced a military coup in early 2021. Limited health care resources, wrongful detentions and “areas with land mines and unexploded ordnance” are also listed as risk factors. After Ukraine and Israel, Myanmar had the highest conflict-related death toll in 2023.

Gaza : Hamas, a foreign terrorist organization as designated by the State Department, controls much of the Gaza Strip, which shares borders with both Israel and Egypt. On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas fighters broke across the border into Israel, killing hundreds of civilians and soldiers in a brazen attack that stunned Israelis. On Oct. 10, Israel hit the Gaza Strip with “the fiercest air strikes in its 75-year conflict” according to Reuters . The conflict has since escalated into war between Israel and Hamas, with regular Israeli airstrikes leading to extensive civilian casualties in Gaza. As of mid-December, nearly 85% of Gaza’s population were displaced from their homes, according to UN estimates . The region continues to face shortages of food , water, electricity and medical supplies , with conditions deemed “far beyond a humanitarian crisis.” The State Department warns of terrorism and armed conflict within Gaza’s borders.

Haiti: In July 2023, the Department of State ordered all non-emergency U.S. government personnel and family members to leave the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince in response to the increased risk of kidnapping and violent crime in the country , as well as armed conflict between gangs and police. The travel advisory states that cases of kidnapping “often involve ransom negotiations and U.S. citizen victims have been physically harmed during kidnappings.” The travel advisory also states that “U.S. citizens in Haiti should depart Haiti as soon as possible” given “the current security situation and infrastructure challenges.” A series of gang attacks in late September 2023 caused thousands to flee their homes, and many aid groups have been forced to cut or suspend operations amid escalating violence in recent months.

Iran: Terrorism, kidnapping and civil unrest are risk factors for all travelers to Iran, while U.S. citizens are specifically at risk for “arbitrary arrest.” U.S.-Iranian nationals such as students, journalists and business travelers have been arrested on charges of espionage and threatening national security. Executions in Iran rose sharply between 2021 and 2022, bringing the country’s total to nearly 580 people over the year, according to a report by Amnesty International released in May 2023.

Iraq: The State Department cites “terrorism, kidnapping, armed conflict [and] civil unrest” as cause for the country’s Level 4 distinction. Iraq’s northern borders, and its border with Syria, are especially dangerous. Since the escalation of conflict in neighboring Israel in October, there has been an increase in attacks against Iraqi military bases, which host U.S. troops and other international forces. In October 2023, non-emergency U.S. government personnel and eligible family members were ordered to leave the U.S. embassy in Baghdad.

Libya: Following the end of its dictatorship over a decade ago, Libya has been wrought with internal conflict between armed groups in the East and West. Armed conflict, civil unrest, crime, kidnapping and terrorism are all risk factors. U.S. citizens have been targets of kidnapping for ransom, with terrorists targeting hotels and airports frequented by Westerners. The U.S. Embassy in Tripoli halted operations in 2014. In mid-September 2023, floods, which some say were intensified by climate change , killed thousands in eastern Libya. Clashes between armed factions escalated across the country in the latter half of 2023, including in the capital city of Tripoli and in Benghazi.

Mali: After experiencing military coups in 2020 and 2021, crime, terrorism and kidnapping are all prevalent threats in this West African landlocked nation. In July 2022, non-emergency U.S. government employees and their families were ordered to leave the country due to higher risk of terrorist activity. A U.N. report in August 2023 said that military groups in the country, including both Mali security forces and possibly Russian Wagner mercenaries, were spreading terror through the use of violence against women and human rights abuses. Democratic elections were supposed to occur in February 2024, but Mali’s military junta postponed the plans indefinitely. In December, the U.N. officially ended a decade-long peacekeeping presence in the country, which had been among the agency’s deadliest missions, with hundreds of the mission personnel killed since 2013.

Mexico: Each state in Mexico is assessed separately for travel advisory levels. Six of the 32 states in Mexico are designated as Level 4: Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas. Crime and kidnapping are listed as the primary risk factors throughout the country. Nearly 112,000 people were missing across the country as of October, a number the U.N. has called “alarming.”

North Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea): U.S. passports are not valid for travel “to, in, or through” this country, home to one of the world's longest-running dynastic dictatorships. The travel advisory states that the Level 4 distinction is due to “the continuing serious risk of arrest and long-term detention of U.S. nationals.” In July 2023, a U.S. soldier fled across the border into North Korea, where he is believed to be in North Korean custody, the first American detained in the North in nearly five years. He was returned to U.S. custody in September 2023.

Russia: The travel advisory for Russia cites its invasion of Ukraine , harassment of U.S. citizens by Russian government officials and arbitrary law enforcement as a few of the reasons for the Level 4 designation. Chechnya and Mount Elbrus are specifically listed as Level 4 regions. Terrorism, civil unrest, health, kidnapping and wrongful detention are all noted as risks.

Russia Invades Ukraine: A Timeline

Somalia: A severe drought resulting from five failed rainy seasons in a row killed 43,000 people in 2022, and caused a famine amid conflict with Islamist insurgents . Violent crime is common throughout Somalia , pirates frequent its coast off the Horn of Africa, and medical facilities, where they exist, have limited capacity. Crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health and kidnapping are all risk factors. In January 2024, some passengers aboard a U.N.-contracted helicopter were taken hostage by al-Shabaab militants after the vehicle crashed in central Somalia.

South Sudan: Crime, kidnapping and armed conflict are the primary risk factors for South Sudan, which separated from Sudan in 2011, making it the world’s newest country . Weapons are readily available, and travelers have been victims of sexual assault and armed robbery.

Sudan: The U.S. evacuated its embassy in Khartoum in April 2023, and the country closed its airspace due to the ongoing conflict in the country, only permitting humanitarian aid and evacuation efforts. Fighting has escalated in the region between two warring generals seeking to gain control after a military coup in 2021 ousted the country’s prime minister. Civil unrest is the primary risk factor for Africa’s third largest country by area. Crime, terrorism, kidnapping and armed conflict are also noted. The International Criminal Court began investigating alleged war crimes and violence against African ethnic groups in the country in 2023. Millions have fled their homes due to conflict, and the U.N. has said its efforts to provide aid have been hindered by a lack of support, safety and resources. As recently as December 2023, the United Nations warned of catastrophic famine , with millions of children at-risk for malnutrition .

Syria: The advisory states that “No part of Syria is safe from violence,” with terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, armed conflict and risk of unjust detention all potential risk factors. U.S. citizens are often a target for kidnappings and detention. The U.S. Embassy in Damascus halted operations in 2012. Fighting in neighboring Israel has escalated since October, and the conflict has spilled over into Syria, where the U.S. has carried out air strikes following drone and rocket attacks against American troops in Syria and Iraq, triggered by the Israel-Hamas war.

Ukraine: Russian setbacks in their invasion of Ukraine buoyed hopes in Ukraine in 2023. However, Ukraine is a Level 4 country due to Russia’s invasion, with crime and civil unrest also noted as risk factors. The country’s forces shot down two Russian fighter jets on Christmas Eve 2023, in a move Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said “sets the right mood for the entire year ahead.”

Venezuela: Human rights abuses and lack of health care plague this South American nation, which has been in a political crisis since 2014. In 2019, diplomatic personnel were withdrawn from the U.S. Embassy in Caracas. Threats in the country include crime, civil unrest, kidnapping, wrongful detention and poor health infrastructure.

Yemen: Six of the nine risk factors defined by the State Department – terrorism, civil unrest, health risks, kidnapping, armed conflict and landmines – are all present in Yemen. Despite private companies offering tourist visits to the Yemeni island of Socotra, the U.S. government argues those arranging such visits “are putting tourists in danger.” Civil war and cholera are also both present throughout the country. The U.S. Embassy in Sanaa halted operations in 2015. The country has experienced a relative lull in the civil war fighting, but as peace negotiations have gotten traction, flare ups in the fighting have jeopardized progress. Most recently, the U.S. and U.K. have carried out a series of airstrikes in the country, targeting Iran-backed Houthi sites.

Other Countries to Watch

Since Jan. 1, the State Department has updated travel advisories for 17 different countries as well as for the West Bank and Gaza, adding information about specific regions or risk factors, or simply renewing an existing advisory. Travel advisory levels can change based on several factors in a nation, such as increased civil unrest, policies that affect human rights or higher risks of unlawful detention.

The State Department has given about 25 countries an assessment of Level 3, meaning it recommends people “reconsider travel” to those destinations.

On Oct. 14, one week after the deadly Hamas attack on Israel, Israel and the West Bank were both moved from Level 2 to Level 3, while Gaza remains at Level 4. The region’s travel advisory was updated in November to reflect travel restrictions for certain government employees who have not already left the area, and it was updated again on Jan. 3.

Following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in early October, the U.S. State Department raised Lebanon ’s travel advisory level from a Level 3 to a Level 4 level due to “the unpredictable security situation related to rocket, missile, and artillery exchanges” between Israel and Hezbollah or other militant groups. In December, the U.S. Embassy in Beirut returned to normal staffing and presence, and on Jan. 29, the country was moved back to Level 3. Crime, terrorism, armed conflict, civil unrest, kidnapping and unexploded landmines are listed as the country’s primary risk factors. However, the country’s borders with Syria and with Israel, as well as refugee settlements within Lebanon, are specifically noted as Level 4 regions.

China became a Level 3 country in late 2020, with an update in December 2022 citing “the surge in COVID-19 cases, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, and COVID-19-related restrictions” as the reason for the advisory. In June 2023, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) was moved from the Level 3 to the Level 2 list, but travelers are still advised to be cautious in the area due to “arbitrary enforcement of local laws.” Meanwhile, Macau remains at Level 3.

Following an attempted coup in August 2023, Niger was elevated to Level 4 in August and the Department of State ordered all non-emergency U.S. government personnel and family members to leave the U.S. Embassy in Niamey. In early January 2024, the overall risk level for the country was lowered back to Level 3. Despite the new classification, the State Department still asks non-emergency government personnel and eligible family members to depart the country.

In mid-December 2023 there was an explosion at Guinea’s main fuel depot which has since affected access to health care and basic goods and services. The country was subsequently designated a Level 3 nation after having previously been Level 2. Concerns about civil unrest, health, crime and fuel shortages impacting local infrastructure were listed as the primary risk factors contributing to the change.

Several Level 3 countries are among the worst countries for human trafficking, as designated by the State Department’s annual Trafficking in Persons Report . Level 3 countries on this list include Papua New Guinea, Guinea Bissau, China and Chad. There are also nine Level 4 countries designated as among the worst for human trafficking: Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, Myanmar, North Korea, Russia, Syria, South Sudan and Venezuela.

Over 70 countries are currently at Level 2, meaning the State Department recommends travelers “exercise increased caution” when traveling to those destinations.

Botswana became the newest Level 2 country on Feb. 26 after having previously been Level 1, with crime noted as the primary risk factor.

France, which saw nationwide protests throughout 2023, has civil unrest and terrorism noted as risk factors for its Level 2 status, and Sweden’s Level 2 status is associated with risks of terrorism.

The Level 2 travel advisory for the Bahamas was updated in January to reflect water safety concerns. The advisory warns that “activities involving commercial recreational watercraft, including water tours, are not consistently regulated” and notes that government personnel are “not permitted to use independently operated jet-ski rentals on New Providence and Paradise Islands.” It also warns visitors to be mindful of sharks, weather and water conditions. The advisory also says that crime is a primary risk factor with gang-on-gang violence contributing to high homicide rates in some areas. Visitors are asked to “be vigilant” and to not physically resist robbery attempts.

Bangladesh 's Level 2 travel advisory was updated in October 2023 to add a note about the country’s general election , which took place Jan. 7, 2024. The advisory states “demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence.” The U.S. has since claimed the country’s election was not free nor fair.

In November 2023, several Level 2 travel advisories were updated with new cautionary information. The advisory for Ghana was updated to reflect threats against LGBTQI+ travelers specifically, noting “anti-LGBTQI+ rhetoric and violence have increased in recent years.” Meanwhile, the advisory for South Africa was updated in February to note that routes recommended by GPS may be unsafe with higher risk for crime.

Turkmenistan was moved off of the Level 2 list to become the newest addition to the Level 1 list on Jan. 22, meaning normal precautions are recommended but there are no risk factors causing travelers to practice increased caution.

The State Department asks travelers to pay attention to travel advisory levels and alerts , review country information pages for their destinations and read related country security reports before going abroad.

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Is it safe to go there? The U.S. travel advisory system, explained

If you’re planning an international trip, here’s how to use the State Department’s country-by-country guide to minimize your risk of encountering crime, violence, or civil unrest.

On October 19, the U.S. Department of State issued a rare advisory that Americans overseas “exercise increased caution” due to heightened tensions and chances of terrorism around the world, spurred by the Israel-Hamas war. It’s part of a system of travel warnings that’s been around in some form since 1978, designed to help citizens assess how safe a destination might be at a given time.

The current version of the system, which launched in 2018, gives fluid rankings from Level 1 (exercise normal precautions) to Level 4 (do not travel), indicating how risky countries (and in some cases, regions) are for Americans to visit. Rankings are based on factors such as crime rates, civil unrest, and the threat of terrorism. They are meant to give “clear, timely, and reliable information about every country in the world so they can make informed travel decisions,” says a State Department spokesperson.  

Not surprisingly, on October 14, the State Department moved Israel and the West Bank to Level 3 (reconsider travel) and Gaza to Level 4.  

Here’s how the advisories work and how to use them.

What is a travel advisory?

The U.S. State Department inaugurated the travel advisory system in 1978, initially aiming warnings at airlines and travel companies. The system was scrutinized after the 1988 bombing of a Pan Am flight from London to New York , which exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland , killing all 259 passengers and crew plus 11 people on the ground.  

Investigations found U.S. authorities had been aware of a credible threat to a Pan Am flight but hadn’t informed the public. In response, the media and consular offices began issuing travel warnings. In 2018 the U.S. introduced its current four-tier advisory system. There are near-identical versions in Canada , Australia , and New Zealand .

To determine rankings, the State Department considers a nation’s political volatility, crime trends, medical care standards, and the threat of kidnappings or terrorism. (Politics also ends up playing an unspoken role.) Some countries, such as Russia , receive a Level 4 ranking partly because the U.S. government may have limited ability to assist citizens there. Others rise to Level 4 due to a crisis, such as the military coup that recently rocked Niger .  

When the travel advisory system relaunched in 2018, it also included state-by-state evaluations for Mexico , which draws more than 11 million American travelers a year. “Some Mexican states are quite safe for U.S. tourists, while others are riskier due to narco-trafficking violence,” says Ryan Larsen , executive director of the Institute for Global Engagement at Western Washington University. Yucatán and Campeche states are currently at Level 1, while six other Mexican states are at Level 4, including Sinaloa.

( Solo female travelers share tips for staying safe on the road .)

Epidemics and natural disasters also can prompt a travel advisory number to rise. Americans may be prompted to reconsider visiting a country recovering from a tsunami or major wildfires, since their presence could hinder rehabilitation efforts. This occurred after the February 2023 earthquakes in Turkey . Such advisories can remain in place for weeks or months.

The strictest-ever advisories came in April 2021, amid the COVID-19 pandemic , says Larsen, who did a thesis   on U.S. travel warnings. At that time, about 80 percent of the world’s countries were at Level 4.

At press time, about 70 percent of the world’s countries were rated Level 1 or Level 2 by the State Department, indicating they’re relatively safe. There are currently 21 countries at Level 3 and 21 at Level 4.

How to use travel advisories

Before booking an international trip, consult the State Department website to see where your destination ranks. While Level 1 and 2 countries are considered relatively safe, you should still register with the U.S. Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) . This lets Americans overseas use their smartphone to receive travel advisory updates and alerts about emerging dangers in their destination (protests, extreme weather).

Level 3 countries are considered more dangerous for foreign visitors, who should “reconsider travel,” according to the State Department. If you are headed to a Level 3 country, which currently includes Pakistan and Colombia , do wider research on its safety and on the places you’ll visit there, advises Jun Wen , a professor of tourism at Australia’s Edith Cowan University. For instance, while some remote areas in the Colombian Amazon still suffer from drug-related violence, cities such as Cartagena and Medellín are relatively safe. Going on a fully guided group or individual tour can also help you navigate destinations where political unrest or crime might impact your safety.

Travelers should study not only the advisories provided by their own country, but also by the U.S., United Kingdom, and Australia to broaden their understanding of the risks in Level 3 countries, Wen says. As for Level 4 countries, that “Do Not Travel” advice couldn’t be any clearer.

Other countries also issue warnings to their citizens about visiting the U.S. Canada recently informed its LGBTQ travelers they may be affected by laws in certain U.S. states. Australia, meanwhile, cautions its citizens visiting the U.S. to be wary of higher crime rates and gun violence, and even to learn safety strategies for active shooter scenarios.

People who visit countries with Level 3 or Level 4 travel advisories don’t just risk their safety. They also may have travel insurance complications, says Linchi Kwok , tourism management professor at California State Polytechnic University Pomona.

( How travel insurance can—and can’t—help when your plans change .)

They must pay much higher premiums, and their insurance can be invalidated if the advisory for their destination is elevated. “Medical coverage can be minimal, too, particularly if the travel advisory is put up against a disease or an outbreak,” says Kwok. “I encourage Americans to think twice before they travel to Level 3 and especially Level 4 destinations.”

Warnings and their impact on tourism

Travel advisories can be biased, Larsen argues. His research found that, while the U.S. didn’t often overstate the risk of travel to countries with which it had poor relations, it did often understate the danger of visiting nations that were its close allies. Elevating a travel advisory can stoke diplomatic tensions between two countries. Once a country is raised to Level 3 or 4, many tourists will avoid visiting, and many American universities won’t let students join study abroad programs.

The economic ramifications of a level change impact individual businesses such as hotels, restaurants, and travel agencies. For instance, J 2   adventures , a Jewish-focused tour company, saw most of its fall group trips to Israel canceled after the start of the Israel-Hamas war (and the higher advisory level), says cofounder Guy Millo. “This is not just because of the violence on the ground, but because of practical considerations like accessibility of commercial airline flights,” he says. “Most tourists from North America and places around the globe simply couldn’t get here even if they wanted to.”  

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Daily updated travel advisories - Worldwide

We collect the official travel advisories issued by governments across the globe. These are aggregated and normalized to form an assessment of a countries safety. Last advisory check for all countries: Tuesday, 13. August 2024 @ 08:20 am

• Welcome to Travel-Advisory.info - Your source for up-to-date travel advisories.

Recent Changes

Travel is usually safe.

On March 23rd 2020 risk assessment stayed the same, but advisories have been updated.

gathered from 0 sources.

On March 22nd 2020 risk assessment stayed the same, but advisories have been updated.

Reconsider travelling.

On March 16th 2020 the total risk score increased by 4.0 to 4.0 (from 0.0).

gathered from 1 sources.

Do not travel.

On March 16th 2020 the total risk score increased by 5.0 to 5.0 (from 0.0).

On March 14th 2020 the total risk score increased by 5.0 to 5.0 (from 0.0).

Countries with lowest threat level

no advisories found

Countries with highest threat level

gathered from 9 sources.

gathered from 7 sources.

gathered from 8 sources.

gathered from 4 sources.

gathered from 6 sources.

Global Risk Score

Average risk rating of all countries. Based on 1,048 country travel advisories.

2020-03-10: Integrated data from European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (COVID-19/ SARS-CoV-2/ Coronavirus).

2019-09-01: Added timeline charts for risk level and number of advisories.

2019-07-29: Added two more sources (Finland and Denmark). Affects country ratings.

2019-07-15: South-Sudan was missing and was added today.

2019-05-18: Performance improvements for API users.

2019-03-23: Introduced professional API with more data.

2019-02-13: Added three more sources (Cyprus, Ireland and Malta). Affects country ratings.

US issues new travel advisory for Jamaica, Bahamas due to increased crime

The Jamaica alert asks U.S. visitors to "reconsider travel."

The U.S. Department of State has issued a new warning for American travelers headed to the Caribbean due to violent crime that has impacted the local populations of Jamaica and the Bahamas.

US raises travel advisory for travel to Jamaica

The State Department reissued a Level 3 travel advisory for Jamaica last month, asking Americans to "reconsider travel to Jamaica due to crime and medical services."

"Violent crimes, such as home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides, are common. Sexual assaults occur frequently, including at all-inclusive resorts," the advisory, reissued on Jan. 23, stated in a summary of what's happening in the Caribbean country.

"Local police often do not respond effectively to serious criminal incidents. When arrests are made, cases are infrequently prosecuted to a conclusive sentence," the alert warned. "Families of U.S. citizens killed in accidents or homicides frequently wait a year or more for final death certificates to be issued by Jamaican authorities."

The State Department further reminded that homicide rate as reported by the Jamaican government "has for several years been among the highest in the Western Hemisphere."

As of time of publication, the State Department has "prohibited" U.S. government personnel under Chief of Mission (COM) security responsibility "from traveling to the areas" listed in the advisory, as well as "using public buses, and from driving outside of prescribed areas of Kingston at night."

Additionally, the agency said emergency services and hospital care in Jamaica may not meet U.S. standards, because response times and quality of care can vary throughout the island.

"Public hospitals are under-resourced and cannot always provide high level or specialized care. Private hospitals require payment up front before admitting patients and may not have the ability to provide specialized care," the State Department said. "Ambulance services are not always readily available, especially in rural areas, and are not always staffed by trained personnel."

The State Department does not pay medical bills, and advisory notes, so it strongly encourages that Americans "obtain traveler’s insurance, including medical evacuation insurance, before traveling to Jamaica."

Finally, U.S. Medicare or Medicaid does not apply overseas and most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance, according to the advisory.

"U.S. citizens with medical emergencies can face bills in the tens of thousands of dollars," the advisory stated, adding that the cost of air ambulance services to the U.S. can range from $30,000 to $50,000.

Read the country information page on the State Department website for additional information on travel to Jamaica.

Areas in Jamaica on State Department's Do Not Travel list

St. Ann’s Parish, St. Catherine’s Parish, Clarendon Parish -- except if passing through Clarendon Parish using the T1 and A2 highways -- St. Elizabeth’s Parish, Hanover Parish, St. James Parish and Montego Bay, Kingston and St. Andrew Parish, Cassava Piece, Downtown Kingston, Manchester Parish, St. Thomas Parish, Trelawny Parish, Westmoreland Parish.

Click here for further details regarding each county and parish, including specific neighborhoods and popular tourist areas.

Safety information for Americans who travel to Jamaica

While the State Department has urged U.S. travelers to avoid the Caribbean country, it also shared a list of best practices if you are still planning to visit the island.

Do not attempt to bring firearms or ammunition. This includes stray rounds, shells or empty casings. The penalties for carrying firearms and/or ammunition, even inadvertently, are severe, and can include lengthy prison sentences. Avoid walking or driving at night. Avoid public buses. Avoid secluded places or situations. Do not physically resist any robbery attempt. Be aware of your surroundings and keep a low profile. 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 Country Security Report for Jamaica. Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist. Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel. Violence and shootings occur regularly in many neighborhoods, communities, and parishes in Jamaica.

If you do decide to travel to the above-listed "Do Not Travel" areas, the Department of State asks Americans to visit this website for information on travel to high-risk areas.

What to know about US travel advisory for the Bahamas

The advisory , issued on Jan. 26, urged travelers to "exercise increased caution" should they decide to visit the Caribbean country.

According to the State Department, the majority of crime – which includes burglaries, armed robberies, and sexual assaults – has occurred on the island of New Providence, home of the Bahamian capital of Nassau, and on the island of Grand Bahama.

"In Nassau, practice increased vigilance in the 'Over the Hill' area (south of Shirley Street) where gang-on-gang violence has resulted in a high homicide rate primarily affecting the local population," the government alert states. Violent crime has been happening "in both tourist and non-tourist areas," according to the alert, so the State Department is urging travelers to "be vigilant when staying at short-term vacation rental properties where private security companies do not have a presence."

The State Department also suggested that U.S. travelers steer clear of activities like boat tours with commercial recreational watercraft because they are "not consistently regulated."

"Watercraft may be poorly maintained, and some operators may not have safety certifications.  Always review and heed local weather and marine alerts before engaging in water-based activities," according to the State Department. "Commercial watercraft operators have discretion to operate their vessels regardless of weather forecasts; injuries and fatalities have occurred. Due to these safety concerns, U.S. government personnel are not permitted to use independently operated jet-ski rentals on New Providence and Paradise Islands."

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Click here for additional travel information on the State Department's country information page for the Bahamas.

The U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas also issued a security alert on Wednesday , advising "U.S. citizens to be aware that 18 murders have occurred in Nassau since the beginning of 2024."

"Murders have occurred at all hours including in broad daylight on the streets," the statement declared. "Retaliatory gang violence has been the primary motive in 2024 murders."

Safety tips for travel to the Bahamas

If you do decide to travel to the Bahamas, the State Department shared a checklist of dos and don'ts to help Americans stay safe.

Do not answer your door at your hotel/residence unless you know who it is.   Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.   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, Twitter, and Instagram.   Review the Country Security Report for the Bahamas.   Prepare a contingency plan for emergency and medical situations.  Review the Traveler's Checklist.   Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.

The U.S. Embassy in Nassau also issued its own list of safety precautions for U.S. travelers.

Exercise extreme caution in the eastern part of New Providence Island (Nassau). Use caution when walking or driving at night. Keep a low profile. Be aware of your surroundings. Do not physically resist any robbery attempt. Review your personal security plans.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

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Maryland, delaware beaches on alert after hazardous materials wash ashore.

Several popular beaches along the Maryland and Delaware coast were closed to swimming after medical waste, including needles, washed ashore last week.

Swimming was prohibited at beaches that included Ocean City, Maryland, and Fenwick Island, Delaware, and both state and federal beaches on Assateague Island, which is part of Maryland and Virginia.

In a social media post, the Town of Ocean City said last Sunday that its emergency services team is actively addressing the recent discovery of medical waste that washed onto the beach.

“To ensure the safety of all residents and visitors, Ocean City Beach Patrol has temporarily closed the ocean for swimming, and we urge everyone to adhere to this closure until further notice,” the post read.

Ocean City Emergency Services Director Joe Theobold stressed the seriousness of the situation, not just because of Sunday’s rough seas, but also because of the potential health concerns the waste poses.

“We will work closely with the Worcester County Health Department and other public health authorities to investigate the source of medical waste,” Theobold said in a prepared statement. “Until we are confident that the situation is under control, we recommend wearing shoes on the beach and avoiding the ocean entirely.”

On Tuesday, Theobald announced that there was no medical waste on the beach in Ocean City after a post-high tide cleanup. Still, swimming access was closed, and his department was working with the Health Department to conduct water tests with the hopes of reopening before the weekend.

Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan’s office told Fox News Digital on Thursday that swimming was closed to swimmers because of rough surf conditions, limited lifeguards and out of an abundance of caution, as officials awaited water test results.

The mayor’s office added that it is hoping to have beaches reopened to swimmers by Friday.

The town said that crews will continue monitoring the beach, removing debris and updating the public as more information is obtained.

In the town of Fenwick Island, just north of Ocean City, officials closed the beach to swimming because of the waste, and urged anyone on the beach to wear shoes, noting that the waste includes needles. As of Thursday, rough seas continued to be a hazard for swimmers, though officials had not updated the town’s social media channels to say whether medical waste remained an issue.

Fox News Digital reached out to the Fenwick Island town manager multiple times about the swimming closure and did not receive a response on the matter.

To the south, on Assateague Island, state and federal officials closed the beach for the same reason.

Assateague Island National Seashore announced the immediate closure, stating that the north end of the island and all beaches on the Maryland side are closed to swimming. Beaches on Assateague Island that are on the Virginia side were also closed to swimming and wading.

Maryland State Parks announced its closure on social media, as well.

“Assateague State Park, along with other beaches along the Maryland coast, is experiencing a significant amount of medical waste washing onshore,” the state Park Department said. “Access to the ocean will be restricted at this time. No swimming, wading, surfing, or any activities in the ocean are permitted. Visitors to the beach should wear shoes and use an abundance of caution.”

To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories .

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Meet the People Traveling the World, Thanks to Crowdfunding

On June 4th, Rachel Kelly and Matt Saunders set off on the adventure of a lifetime: driving the Pan American Highway. The couple from a small town in Surrey, England, went to the same school but matched on Tinder during the pandemic lockdowns. On their third date, Saunders planted the idea of driving from Alaska to Argentina, and Kelly was sold. After saving £20,000 each, they flew out to Canmore, Alberta, to pick up a pop-top camper they got for £4,000. It broke down just four days into their trip. Further camper and car mishaps ensued, costing them £15,000 in repairs and replacements.

While they were stuck in a remote part of Alaska for three weeks as they waited for their camper’s engine to be fixed, the pair spent their downtime creating videos for their Instagram account @ramonthepanam . Their 250 followers became 70,000 as their Reels resonated with viewers interested in their journey. “People kept messaging us saying that they wanted to support us and see us succeed,” Kelly says, “so we thought the best way to make that happen is by setting up a crowdfund.”

She created a page on the crowdfunding platform GoFundMe with the hope of raising £5,000, enough to get back on the road. “We know there are far better causes than what we're doing,” Kelly says. “We've set this up because people were trying to give us money.”

Since they have not yet secured the full amount, Kelly and Saunders may have to truncate their trip and miss out on their top bucket list destinations: Utah, Peru, and Patagonia. “We were in such a hole that we had nothing to lose by starting the fund,” says Saunders. The couple has currently received over 45 donations, mostly from people unknown to them. “A random stranger gave us £100 just out of nothing, out of nowhere,” Kelly says.

While Kelly and Saunders found themselves stranded, not every crowdfunded trip starts with a crisis. Many campaigns are simply about enabling people to taste the world. Loved ones and even strangers are paying for would-be travelers' adventures by contributing to appeals on general crowdfunding sites like GoFundMe , Go Get Funding , and Fundrazr as well as dedicated travel crowdfunding platforms like FundMyTravel . These websites help connect people who are big on dreams but short on funds with philanthropists who believe in the right to travel. Browsing their pages reveals fundraisers for anything from birthday holidays and sabbaticals to more serious trips for life-saving surgery or evacuation from conflict zones.

People might be more accustomed to seeing requests to support creative endeavors like podcasts, films shot abroad, or travel products and businesses, but the notion of financing wanderlust itself hasn’t quite caught on to the masses. A South African startup called Trevolta tried to popularize travel crowdfunding with modest success, shutting down in 2015, within two years of launching. Its mission was to let “people, amazed friends, and generous sponsors” help you fund extraordinary trips.

One extraordinary trip that did see the light of day thanks to crowdfunding was Thor Pedersen’s 10-year journey to visit every country in the world in one continuous trip—all without flying, becoming the first person ever to do so. The Danish national has a book about it, Once Upon a Saga , coming out next year.

His initial sponsor, Ross Energy, pulled out a few years into his journey, meaning he had to get creative. “That had me draw on my personal savings until there was nothing left, and then I took out two loans and sold some personal possessions,” Pedersen says. “Eventually, in late 2017, I looked to my followers for support through crowdfunding.”

Pedersen raised $20,752—shy of his target of $50,000, but enough for him to keep traveling the world. He mostly used Indiegogo , but people also sent donations to accounts he created on MobilePay, PayPal, and Patreon. While the money was technically “free,” Pedersen paid a high price for it. “I spent a tremendous amount of time promoting the Indiegogo campaign,” he says. “Having to ask my followers to support me felt somewhat like begging. It hurt my pride to some degree.” There was also behind-the-scenes bureaucracy. In Denmark, crowdfunders have to seek public approval from the Ministry of Justice and pay a $765 annual fee. Nevertheless, Pedersen wholeheartedly appreciates the support that helped him return to Denmark debt-free after visiting 203 countries.

Ugandan-American Jessica Nabongo was also attempting to visit every country in the world when she ran out of money. A friend suggested she crowdfund. “I didn't think people would be interested, but obviously I was wrong,” Nabongo says. Her GoFundMe raised over $16,000 from more than 200 donors, and people also sent her money via Venmo and Zelle. Nabongo was able to complete her mission the following year and became the first Black woman ever to collect every country’s passport stamp.

When deciding to crowdfund, Nabongo did not anticipate the big-heartedness of her supporters—or the cruelty she inevitably experienced from online trolls. “People are mean as hell,” she says. GoFundMe shared her campaign on its Facebook page leading to comments such as “girl, bye” and “this is not the kind of thing you ask money for.” Another commenter said, “Pay for it yourself.” Nabongo had the last laugh, though. National Geographic published her first book, The Catch Me If You Can , a collection of essays from 100 countries that captured her heart. She’s currently penning a second book. “When I wrote a book, I never could have imagined it would be part of 4,000 students’ curriculums in Detroit public schools,” Nabongo says. “If I would have seen all of that hate and shut down my campaign or stopped doing what I was doing, I wouldn't be where I am today.”

Nabongo acknowledged all her donors in her book and is grateful that GoFundMe provides a platform where anyone can be a genie granting travel wishes. “Sometimes people feel like ‘What is my $5 going to do?’ but it all adds up,” she says.

For Tarreyn Van Slyke , monetary contributions added up to an unforgettable two-week honeymoon in Japan. Honeymoon registries appear to be one form of travel crowdfunding that’s exempt from derision and distrust, which is why the Los Angeles creative entrepreneur was comfortable setting one up . “Travel bleeds into so many other conversations about class, wealth, and education. A honeymoon is the one exception where it feels socially acceptable to ask for money,” Van Slyke says. “I feel that as an adult it's gauche to even ask for birthday presents.”

Cash gifts from loved ones meant Van Slyke and her husband Ben Morris were able to fulfill their dream of visiting Japan during the notoriously pricey cherry blossom season while staying in beautiful boutique hotels. “It was just nice to go on a honeymoon and not worry about money,” she says. The couple pulled in roughly $13,000, spent around $10,000, and they plan to use the remainder on another romantic getaway. Their digital fundraising company of choice was Honeyfund , which was itself crowdfunded. CEO Sara Margulis cofounded it in 2006 after she successfully crowdfunded her own Fiji honeymoon. The company went on to appear on Shark Tank in 2014, receiving a cash injection from Kevin O’Leary.

Having witnessed such immense generosity with her honeymoon fund, Tarreyn Van Slyke is open to chipping in to finance other people’s trips. “A trend that's starting that I think is kind of cute and fun is people writing on their car windows saying, ‘Hey, it’s my birthday’ or ‘Im getting married, on the way from LA to Vegas, Venmo me,’ and I was like, all right, I'll send you five bucks.”

For Van Slyke, travel is a nonnegotiable life requirement. She remains moved by a frank conversation with a boat captain in Copenhagen who was bewildered about people in the US having registries for honeymoons and also births. “I said, you have free education, free childcare, free health care, and free college; we get nothing, so the community has to step it up a bit.”

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We offer different types of travel credit: Trip Credit, Flight Credit, and Travel Vouchers. Each type of travel credit has its own terms and conditions, so be sure to read them carefully before redeeming your credit. Keep in mind, travel credits can only be used to book flights, and can’t be used to pay for extras like seats or bags.

Types of travel credit

*Can’t be used for extras like seats or bags.

**For Trip Credit issued on or after April 2, 2024, AAdvantage® members have 12 months to use their Trip Credit when canceling their trip on aa.com or the American app and their AAdvantage® number is included in their reservation. Non-AAdvantage® members have 6 months.

***When booked on aa.com, Flight Credit can only be applied to flights within the U.S., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. (U.S. currency only)

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If you received a travel credit, you can use it to book your next trip. Here's how to find and redeem your Trip Credit and Flight Credit.

Trip Credit

If you're an AAdvantage ® member, most Trip Credits will appear in your AAdvantage ® account.

For Trip Credit issued on or after April 2, 2024, AAdvantage ® members have 12 months to use their Trip Credit when canceling their trip on aa.com or the American app and their AAdvantage ® number is included in their reservation. Non-AAdvantage ® members have 6 months.

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Step 1: Find your Trip Credit email

• Look for an email from American Airlines with the subject line ‘Your Trip Credit.’
• Your Trip Credit number is a 13-digit number that begins with ‘00115.’

Keep in mind there are separate ticket numbers for add-ons like seats, upgrades, and bags.

Step 2: Book and add your Trip Credit

• Go to aa.com and book your new flight.
• On the payment screen, select ‘Trip Credit.’
• Follow the prompts to pay using your Trip Credit.
• You may use a credit card to pay any remaining balance.

General rules

• Trip Credit is non-refundable, non-transferable, non-returnable, may not be redeemed for cash, check or credit (except where required by law) and has no implied warranties, including warranties of merchantability or fitness.
• Trip Credit is void if bought, sold or bartered, advertised for sale or used for commercial or promotional purposes.
• We won’t replace Trip Credit if lost or stolen. This may include inadvertent deletion, forwarding or access of the email containing your Trip Credit number. Please guard the Trip Credit number as you would cash.
• Except where prohibited by law, we reserve the right to refuse, void, cancel, reject or hold for review any Trip Credit mistakenly issued in an incorrect denomination or issued or obtained, directly or indirectly, in connection with fraudulent actions, fraudulent claims, compensation abuse or in connection with any violation of these terms and conditions.

Expiration and validity

• Valid until 11:59 p.m. (CT) on the date listed on the Trip Credit, and we won't reissue it past the expiration date.
• We won't accept invalid or expired Trip Credit.
• We won’t accept Trip Credit with an invalid number or if we are unable to locate it within the American Airlines systems.
• To receive Trip Credit, your original ticket must be canceled before the departure of the first flight (or the ticket loses any remaining value and cannot be used for future travel).

Redemption and usage

• You may redeem Trip Credit on aa.com or by contacting Reservations. Trip Credit is not redeemable through any other channels, including airport ticket counters or travel agencies.
• When contacting Reservations, tell the agent you have Trip Credit and you want to use it to book your travel.
• Trip Credit is redeemable toward air travel on flights operated by American, American Eagle ® or flights marketed by American (designated with an AA*). You can’t use Trip Credit for payment of air travel on any other airline on aa.com.
• Contact Reservations to use Trip Credit for qualifying one world ® or other airline partner itineraries.
• Trip Credit is redeemable toward the base air fare and directly associated taxes, fees and charges collected as part of the fare calculation.
• You may not use Trip Credit for products and / or services sold separate from the fare price or for taxes, fees or charges in connection with AAdvantage ® award travel, American Airlines Vacations℠ or any other non-flight products and / or services sold by American.
• You may only use non-taxable Trip Credit for single-passenger reservations on aa.com.
• Contact Reservations to use Trip Credit for more than 9 passengers.
• The recipient of Trip Credit can use it to pay for travel for themselves or others.
• You may redeem up to 8 Trip Credits in a single transaction on aa.com or through Reservations.
• If the ticket price is greater than the value of the Trip Credit, you may pay the difference only with a credit card accepted by American.
• If the ticket price is less than the value of the Trip Credit, we’ll issue any remaining value on a new Trip Credit, delivered via email to the passenger ticketed on the Trip Credit redemption. You may choose to have the new Trip Credit email sent to your email address and then use the remaining value on a new reservation for yourself or someone else.
• You may not combine Trip Credit with the value of an existing ticket to pay for a new ticket.

Flight Credit

If you're an AAdvantage ® member and had your account number listed in your reservation before cancellation, you can log in to your account and view available Flight Credit in your AAdvantage ® account.

Step 1: Find your canceled trip or confirmation email

• You'll need your 6-character confirmation code and 13-digit ticket number.
• American tickets have a 13-digit number that begins with '001'.

Step 2: View your canceled trip

• Go to aa.com and choose ‘Manage trips / Check-in’
• Choose ‘View canceled trips’ and enter your trip details.
• You’ll find your Flight Credit details on the ‘Your trip’ page.

Step 3: Rebook and add Flight Credit

• Go to aa.com and find your new flight.
• On the payment screen, choose ‘Add Flight Credit.’
• Enter the ticket number from your canceled trip and apply the credit.

Book a trip with your Flight Credit

• Flight Credit is non-refundable, non-transferable, non-returnable, may not be redeemed for cash, check or credit (except where required by law) and has no implied warranties, including warranties of merchantability or fitness.
• Flight Credit is void if bought, sold or bartered, advertised for sale or used for commercial or promotional purposes.
• We won’t replace Flight Credit if lost or stolen. This may include inadvertent deletion, forwarding or access of the email containing your Flight Credit number. Please guard the Flight Credit number as you would cash.
• Except where prohibited by law, we reserve the right to refuse, void, cancel, reject or hold for review any Flight Credit mistakenly issued in an incorrect denomination or issued or obtained, directly or indirectly, in connection with fraudulent actions, fraudulent claims, compensation abuse or in connection with any violation of these terms and conditions.
• Flight Credit is valid for 1 year from the date the ticket was issued. We will not extend or reissue once it expires.
• If you don't show for your flight, your ticket will no longer be valid or eligible for any credit.
• We won't accept invalid or expired Flight Credit.
• You may redeem Flight Credit on aa.com, in person at the airport or by contacting Reservations.
• When contacting Reservations, tell the agent you have Flight Credit and you want to use it to book your travel.
• The recipient of Flight Credit can use it to pay for travel for themselves only.
• Flight Credit is redeemable toward air travel on flights marketed and operated by American, by American Eagle ® carriers or on flights marketed and sold by American but operated by one of American’s codeshare or one world ® partners (i.e. flights designated with an AA*).
• Flight Credit is redeemable toward initial booking, the base air fare and directly associated taxes, fees and charges collected as part of the fare calculation.
• You may only redeem 1 Flight Credit for single-passenger trips on aa.com or through Reservations. In order to redeem up to 2 Flight Credits in a single transaction, you must contact Reservations.
• If the ticket price is greater than the value of the Flight Credit, you may pay the difference only with a credit card accepted by American.
• If the ticket price is less than the value of the Flight Credit, you can only use the value of Flight Credit needed for the current booking while remaining value will be issued as travel credit for future reservations.
• You may not use Flight Credit for products and / or services sold separately from the fare price or for taxes, fees or charges in connection with AAdvantage ® award travel, American Airlines Vacations℠ products or services or any other non-flight products and / or services sold by American.

Electronic Travel Voucher

• eVouchers are provided for U.S. customers only.
• eVouchers are non-refundable, non-transferable, non-returnable, may not be redeemed for cash, check or credit (except where required by law) and have no implied warranties, including warranties of merchantability or fitness.
• eVouchers are void if bought, sold or bartered, advertised for sale, or used for commercial or promotional purposes.
• We won’t replace eVouchers if lost or stolen. This may include inadvertent deletion, forwarding or access of the email containing your eVoucher number. Please guard the eVoucher number and PIN as you would cash.
• Except where prohibited by law, we reserve the right to refuse, void, cancel, reject or hold for review any eVouchers mistakenly issued in an incorrect denomination, or issued or obtained, directly or indirectly, in connection with fraudulent actions, fraudulent claims, compensation abuse or in connection with any violation of these terms and conditions.
• eVouchers are valid for 1 year from the date of issue, and we won’t reissue them past the expiration date.
• We’re not responsible for honoring invalid or expired eVouchers.
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• You may redeem eVouchers only on aa.com or by contacting Reservations. eVouchers are not redeemable through any other channels, including airport ticket counters or travel agencies.
• eVouchers are redeemable toward air travel on flights operated by American, American Eagle ® , one world ® partners or on flights marketed by American (designated with an AA*). You can’t use eVouchers for payment of air travel on any other airline.
• Flights sold or originating outside the U.S., Puerto Rico or U.S. Virgin Islands or operated by other carriers are not eligible.
• eVouchers are redeemable toward the base air fare and directly associated taxes, fees and charges collected as part of the fare calculation.
• You may not use eVouchers for products and / or services sold separate from the fare price or for taxes, fees or charges in connection with AAdvantage ® award travel, American Airlines Vacations℠ or any other non-flight products and / or services sold by American.
• The eVoucher recipient can use it to pay for travel for themselves or others.
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• If the ticket price is less than the value of the eVoucher(s), the unused amount will remain on the eVoucher until it reaches zero, at which time the eVoucher will be deactivated.
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FORECAST: Stormy weather pattern taking over for Sunday and early next week

Latest forecast, weather headlines.

• NEXT 12: Mostly dry overnight; patchy fog for some Sunday morning
• SHORT TERM: Periods of showers and storms Sunday through Tuesday
• LONG TERM: Cooler yet unsettled weather to close out September

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - Lingering spotty showers can’t be ruled out Saturday night but most will remain dry. Patchy fog may develop early Sunday morning in areas that saw heavy downpours on Saturday.

A slow-moving cold front to our west will increase our storm chances Sunday. There will be some dry time Sunday but periods of showers and storms will be possible. The higher storm chances and additional cloud cover will keep highs in the 80s. Scattered showers and a few storms continue into Sunday night.

Morning lows drop into the 60s and 70s. Periods of storms are expected Monday but it does not appear to be a washout day. Any strong storms Monday will produce heavy rain and gusty winds. Highs in the 80s.

Tuesday will feature the highest rain and storm chances as the cold front finally arrives in WAVE Country.

The forecast becomes very uncertain from midweek into next weekend. Early indications suggest a potential tropical system in the Gulf of Mexico could bring us additional showers and storms by next weekend. There are a lot of details to sort out with this portion of the forecast so stay tuned! We can say with confidence that a nice cool down is on the way! Highs dip into the 70s and near 80 by midweek.

Copyright 2024 WAVE. All rights reserved.

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Israel, the West Bank and Gaza Travel Advisory

Travel advisory july 31, 2024, see individual summaries.

Updated to reflect U.S. government restrictions on travel to Northern Israel, and information for U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents and qualifying immediate family members seeking assistance in Gaza.

Do Not Travel To:

• Gaza due to  terrorism  and  armed conflict
• Northern Israel within 2.5 miles of the Lebanese and Syrian borders due to the rising tensions between Hizballah and Israel  

Reconsider Travel To:

• Israel due to  terrorism  and  civil unrest
• West Bank due to  terrorism  and  civil unrest

Country Summary:  Terrorist groups, lone-actor terrorists and other violent extremists continue plotting possible attacks in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza. Terrorists and violent extremists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities. Violence can occur in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza without warning.

Some areas have increased risk. Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to Israel and the West Bank, and Gaza.

Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel.

If you decide to travel to Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza.

• Visit our website for  Travel to High-Risk Areas .
• Check the most recent Alerts at the  Embassy  website for the latest information on travel in all of these areas. 
• Maintain a high degree of situational awareness and exercise caution at all times, especially at checkpoints and other areas with a significant presence of security forces.
• Avoid demonstrations and crowds.
• Follow the instructions of security and emergency response officials.
• Beware of and report suspicious activities, including unattended items, to local police.
• Learn the location of the nearest bomb shelter or other hardened shelter. Download the  Home Front Command Red Alert application  for mobile devices (available on devices within Israel) to receive real time alerts for rocket attacks.
• Obtain comprehensive travel medical insurance that includes medical evacuation prior to travel. Most travel insurance packages do not cover mental health related illnesses/care. 
• 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 X/ Twitter .
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .

Gaza – Do Not Travel

Do not travel due to  terrorism  and  armed conflict .

The U.S. government is unable to provide routine or emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in Gaza as U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling there. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are conducting large-scale military operations in Gaza against Hamas, a U.S. government-designated foreign terrorist organization, which was responsible for the October 7 attack on Israel. As a result of the armed conflict, the security environment within Gaza and on its borders is extremely dangerous and volatile. The pedestrian crossing between Gaza and Israel was damaged on October 7 and remains closed, and the pedestrian crossing between Egypt and Gaza has been closed since May 7 and it is unknown when it will re-open.   There are sporadic telecommunication and internet outages within Gaza further inhibiting the ability of residents to obtain information.  

If a U.S. citizen, Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR), or qualified immediate family member desires our assistance and has not already provided their information to the Department of State, please email U.S. Embassy Jerusalem at [email protected] with a copy of the individual’s travel document as well as an explanation or proof of relationship.

Visit our website for  Travel to High Risk Areas .

• If you decide to travel to Gaza:
• Be prepared for an indefinite stay as the crossings between Gaza with Israel and Egypt can close without advance notice and for long periods during times of unrest and armed conflict.
• Have a plan for entering and departing Gaza that does not rely on U.S. government assistance.
• Households with infants and young children should plan for food and supplies, such as diapers and wipes, formula or baby food, and a change of clothing.
• If you take medication, make sure to have at least five days’ worth at any given time – if you can, we encourage enough for two weeks beyond your scheduled trip and have a copy of your prescriptions handy.
• If you use assistive or medical devices that require a power supply, be sure to find backup power or other ways that will sustain your device or equipment during a power outage.
• Draft a will and designate appropriate insurance beneficiaries and/or power of attorney.
• Discuss a plan with loved ones regarding care/custody of children, pets, property, belongings, non-liquid assets (collections, artwork, etc.), funeral wishes, etc.
• Leave DNA samples with your medical provider in case it is necessary for your family to access them.

Please be sure to visit our website for  How to Prepare for a Crisis  for information that may be helpful.

Israel – Reconsider Travel (see below for specific advice on travel within 2.5 miles of Lebanese and Syrian borders)

Reconsider travel due to  terrorism and civil unrest .

The security situation remains unpredictable, and U.S. citizens are reminded to remain vigilant and take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness as security incidents, including mortar and rocket fire, often take place without warning.

• U.S. government employees in Israel under Chief of Mission security responsibility are currently restricted from personal travel to the following locations:
• Within seven miles of the Gaza demarcation line, as well as the cities of Ashdod and Ashkelon; and
• Within 1.5 miles of the Israel-Egypt border.

Additional travel restrictions may be imposed on U.S. government employees under Chief of Mission security responsibility, with little to no notice due to increased security issues or threats.

Northern Israel (within 2.5 miles of Lebanese and Syrian borders) – Do Not Travel

U.S. government employees in Israel under Chief of Mission security responsibility are currently restricted from personal travel within 2.5 miles of the Lebanese and Syrian borders. Any U.S. government travel to this area is done in full coordination with Israeli security forces.

Due to the ongoing active hostilities between Israel and Hizballah, the U.S. Embassy strongly recommends that U.S. citizens do not travel within 2.5 miles of the Lebanese and Syrian borders. Cross-border rocket, missile, and drone strikes continue to impact this area daily and have resulted in casualties. The Israeli authorities already restrict travel to these areas.

West Bank – Reconsider Travel

• U.S. government employees in Israel under Chief of Mission security responsibility are currently restricted from all personal travel to the West Bank, except:
• U.S. government employees can use Routes 1, 90, and 443 at any time. 
• U.S. government employees are permitted personal daylight travel to Jericho and Bethlehem, including Beit Jala and Beit Sahour.   Given continued closures of checkpoints throughout the West Bank, the only permitted and accessible route into Bethlehem for U.S. government employees and their family members is through Checkpoint 300 near Rachel’s Tomb. 
• U.S. government employees are permitted daylight travel to: Inn of the Good Samaritan, An-Nabi Musa, Wadi Qelt Nature Preserve, and St. George’s Monastery along Route 1; and Qumran, Kalia Beach, St. Gerasimos/Khogla Monastery, Al Auju, and Qasr al-Yaud baptismal site along Route 90. 

Over the past few months, there has been an increase in settler violence, Israeli military operations, and terrorist attacks.

Additional travel restrictions may be imposed on U.S. government employees under Chief of Mission security responsibility with little to no notice due to increased security issues or threats.

Travel Advisory Levels

Assistance for u.s. citizens, israel, the west bank and gaza map, search for travel advisories, external link.

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