15 Key Travel Advisories Announced in October

The U.S. State Department was once again hard at work assessing the potential threats to American travelers abroad in the month of October, issuing updated travel advisories for more than 65 countries and territories all over the globe. As has been the case for going on two years now, the vast majority of warnings are related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and often reflect the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Travel Health Notices indicating the level of coronavirus in a given destination. Here's a look at 15 of the most notable destinations to receive updated guidance over the past month.

For the latest details on travel restrictions, requirements and rules around the world, check out this interactive guide.

Peru, a South American country boasting incredible history, culture and cuisine, among other fascinations, is open to travelers with proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours of their flight. What's more, as of October, Peru is one of the few destinations listed at a Level 2 or lower on the State Department's four-tier scale, with officials encouraging visitors to exercise increased caution due to COVID-19, crime and terrorism. Travelers are asked to avoid the Colombian-Peruvian border area in the Loreto Region due to crime and the Valley of the Apurimac, Ene and Mantaro Rivers (VRAEM), including areas within the Departments of Ayacucho, Cusco, Huancavelica and Junin due to crime and terrorism.

The State Department's Level 3 travel advisory for France was among the first updates of October. Heading into the holiday season, the U.S. government is advising Americans to reconsider travel to France due to the pandemic and exercise increased caution in the country due to the threat of terrorism and civil unrest. Travelers from the U.S. who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can visit without testing or quarantine requirements if they have proof such as their CDC card.

One of 15 countries to receive an updated travel advisory on October 4, Iceland enters the month of November at a Level 3 on the State Department's four-tier scale. Travelers are advised to reconsider plans to visit the island nation this fall due to COVID-19 and the CDC warns of a high level of coronavirus in Iceland. Nonetheless, the European destination remains open to travelers who can show either a certificate of vaccination or previous COVID-19 infection and a negative PCR or rapid antigen test taken within 72 hours of departure. Travelers who have recovered from the virus with proof of a positive PCR test taken 14 to 180 days prior to their flight will not require a negative test.

The State Department is advising Americans to reconsider travel to Morocco and to exercise caution in the African country due to terrorism. The destination is currently open to U.S. travelers with proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative PCR test administered within 48 hours of entry.

Travelers are also being encouraged to reconsider travel to Portugal this fall due to the ongoing pandemic. Nonetheless, Portugal remains open to non-essential travel, requiring visitors to complete and submit a Passenger Locator Card and provide a digital vaccination certificate or a negative test result. A PCR result should be taken within 72 hours of travel while a rapid test must be taken no more than 48 hours before boarding.

South Africa enters the month of November at Level 3, with the State Department recommending travelers reconsider any plans to visit because of COVID-19. Officials also ask travelers to exercise increased caution in South Africa due to potential crime and civil unrest. The country continues to welcome tourists who have proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of departure.

Austria, the country Americans feel safest about visiting this fall, is at Level 4 (Do Not Travel) due to COVID-19 after an October 4 update. As of September 15, U.S. travelers must be fully vaccinated or recently recovered from COVID-19 to enter Austria without having to quarantine. Unvaccinated travelers or those under the age of 12 must pre-register, test negative ahead of travel and quarantine for at least five days pending the results of a PCR test. Otherwise, the mandatory quarantine period is 10 days.

The State Department recommends that Americans do not travel to Croatia due to COVID-19 and related restrictions. According to the U.S. Embassy in Croatia, "entry requirements are subject to change at any time without notice. The Croatian Border Police have final authority regarding entry into Croatia." Currently, travelers require proof of vaccination against COVID-19, a negative test result or proof of recovery from the coronavirus and at least one vaccine dose. Visitors can also test on arrival at their own expense and self-isolate until they receive a negative result.

South Korea is one of the many Level 3 destinations this fall. The State Department encourages travelers to put their plans to visit on the backburner this fall due to COVID-19 and the CDC warns of a high level of coronavirus in the country. South Korea is open to U.S. citizens who must test negative prior to departure and quarantine for at least 14 days.

The State Department also recommends that travelers reconsider visiting Spain due to COVID-19 and advises exercising increased caution in the country due to terrorism and civil unrest. Spain is open to Americans who can show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 and a QR code generated through the Spain Travel Health portal.

In the Caribbean, St. Vincent and the Grenadines is at a Level 4 this fall as the continued threat of COVID-19 prompted the State Department to advise against travel to the islands in an October 12 update. Beginning October 31, fully vaccinated Americans can visit St. Vincent and the Grenadines with proof of a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before travel. Individuals may also be required to retest on arrival and quarantine for 48 hours in an approved accommodation.

As of October 25, the State Department is advising Americans to reconsider travel to the Cayman Islands due to COVID-19-related restrictions. The islands are currently in phase three of reopening, allowing vaccinated visitors to come but with strict requirements, including producing negative tests and agreeing to a seven-day quarantine.

Officials elevated the Dominican Republic from a Level 2 to a Level 3 on October 25, advising Americans to reconsider travel to the Caribbean destination due to COVID-19 and pointing out that the CDC has also issued a Level 3 Travel Health Notice indicating a high level of coronavirus in the country. The State Department also asks travelers to exercise increased caution in the DR due to the threat of crime.

The State Department is encouraging people to reconsider travel to Egypt this fall, citing the ongoing pandemic and terrorism. Officials also warn that visitors should exercise increased caution in Egypt due to the U.S. Embassy's limited ability to assist dual national U.S.-Egyptian citizens who are arrested or detained. If visiting, travelers are advised to avoid the Sinai Peninsula (with the exception of travel to Sharm El-Sheikh by air) and the Western Desert due to terrorism and Egyptian border areas due to military zones.

In one of the last updates of October, the State Department advised Americans to reconsider travel to Colombia due to COVID-19 and to exercise increased caution due to civil unrest, crime, terrorism and kidnapping. Travelers are encouraged to avoid Arauca, Cauca (except Popayán), Chocó (except Nuquí), Nariño and Norte de Santander (except Cúcuta) departments because of crime and terrorism. The South American country is currently open to U.S. travelers without COVID-19 testing requirements.