The U.S. Department of State has long issued messaging for the purpose of helping U.S. citizen travelers abroad make the right decisions to keep themselves safe and secure. Some of these were for short-term issues, and others explained longer-term, systemic issues affecting the security environment in a particular country or even across an entire region. Many in the private sector use these products to help formulate security plans for their personnel or facilities positioned abroad, or to govern their policies for international travel. That system has now changed, and many of the products travelers have come to know (such as Travel Warnings and Emergency Messages) are being reformatted, rethought, and simplified.
The State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs (CA) on January 10, 2018 launched improvements to public safety and security messaging that will make it easier for U.S. citizens to access clear, timely, and reliable information about every country in the world. CA has replaced its former countrywide products, Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts, with a single "Travel Advisory" for each country. Each Travel Advisory for every country around the world will be paired with a level of advice based on one of four tiers.
The four levels of advice are:
Level 1 - Exercise Normal Precautions: This is the lowest advisory level for safety and security risk. There is some risk in any international travel. Conditions in other countries may differ from those in the United States and may change at any time.
Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution: Be aware of heightened risks to safety and security. The Department of State provides additional advice for travelers in these areas in the Travel Advisory. Conditions in any country may change at any time.
Level 3 - Reconsider Travel: Avoid travel due to serious risks to safety and security. The Department of State provides additional advice for travelers in these areas in the Travel Advisory. Conditions in any country may change at any time.
Level 4 - Do Not Travel: This is the highest advisory level due to greater likelihood of life-threatening risks. During an emergency, the U.S. Government may have very limited ability to provide assistance. The Department of State advises that U.S. citizens not travel to the country or leave as soon as it is safe to do so. The Department of State provides additional advice for travelers in these areas in the Travel Advisory.
Conditions in any country may change at any time.
The complete report can be viewed at OSAC.
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