10 Key Travel Advisories Announced in December 2020

The U.S. State Department is constantly assessing the various threat levels for Americans traveling abroad and December saw officials issue a number of important updates, a majority resulting from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. With international travel bound to ramp up in 2021, here's a look at some of the most notable travel advisory updates from the past month.

Bermuda is one of the many popular tourist destinations listed at a Level 3 (reconsider travel) heading into the new year. The State Department is advising Americans to think twice about visiting right now due to COVID-related conditions, pointing out that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice for Bermuda due to the coronavirus pandemic.

With Lithuania having imposed a strict, nationwide lockdown until January 31, 2021 and continuing to turn away American visitors, the U.S. government is encouraging travelers to reconsider any upcoming trips they have planned to the European country.

Americans should exercise increased caution when traveling to Grenada this winter due to health and safety measures amid the COVID-19 crisis. "Grenada has resumed most transportation options, (including airport operations and re-opening of borders) and business operations (including day cares and schools)," the U.S. State Department notes. "Other improved conditions have been reported within Grenada."

As of December 17, Americans are advised to reconsider travel to China and Hong Kong due to arbitrary enforcement of local laws and COVID-19. The State Department warns that the Chinese government has enforced wrongful detentions and exit bans on Americans and citizens of other countries without due process of law.

Americans should avoid travel to Georgia due to COVID-19, according to the U.S. State Department's December 14 travel advisory update. Officials warn that travelers could experience border closures, airport closures, travel prohibitions, stay at home orders, business closures and other emergency conditions. The department also advises against travel to the Russian-occupied Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia due to risk of crime, civil unrest and landmines.

The State Department recommends that Americans reconsider travel to Uruguay right now due to COVID-19 and exercise increased caution in the South American country because of crime. Currently, entry to Uruguay is suspended through January 10, 2021.

A popular destination among celebrities in 2020, the islands of Turks and Caicos are currently listed at a Level 3 (reconsider travel) due to health and safety measures and COVID-related conditions. Americans visiting the Caribbean archipelago, which reopened to travel this past summer, are also encouraged to exercise increased caution due to crime.

The State Department updated its travel advisory for Saint Lucia on December 7, recommending that Americans reconsider travel to the Caribbean island this winter due to health and safety measures and COVID-related conditions. Saint Lucia reopened to travelers this past summer, requiring visitors coming from outside "travel bubble" countries to present a negative COVID-19 test result within seven days of arrival.

Singapore was the only destination to receive a Level 1 travel advisory (exercise normal precautions) from the U.S. State Department in December. The Asian country is currently in a Phase Two reopening but isn't yet ready to host American leisure travelers, who will need to have been issued a SafeTravel Pass or receive an approval letter of entry from the relevant government agency in Singapore.

The Caribbean Netherlands, including the islands of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, was issued a Level 3 travel advisory on December 7, with the State Department citing health and safety measures and COVID-related conditions as the reasons why Americans should reconsider travel to the territory heading into 2021.