10 Key Travel Advisories Announced in December

The U.S. State Department once again issued dozens of updated travel advisories in December. As has been the case for nearly two years, the vast majority were related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and the emergence of the new Omicron variant only added to the department's many considerations for warning Americans about the potential risks that await them when traveling overseas. Here's a look at the 10 most significant travel advisories published over the past month.

France is among the many countries entering 2022 at the highest level on the State Department's four-tier scale. As of December 6, Americans are advised to avoid travel to the popular European country due to the threat of COVID-19. Officials also encourage travelers to exercise increased caution due to terrorism and civil unrest.

The same guidance applies to Portugal as of December 2021, with the State Department advising against travel due to the pandemic and also citing the CDC's Level 4 Travel Health Notice for the country, indicating a very high level of COVID-19.

Colombia, another country open to fully vaccinated travelers, is listed at Level 3 as of December 8. The State Department currently recommends that Americans reconsider travel to the South American country due to crime and COVID-19. Visitors are also advised to exercise increased caution in Colombia due to the threat of civil unrest, terrorism and kidnapping in some areas. Visitors should not travel to Arauca, Cauca or Norte de Santander departments as the department warns that violent crime, including armed robbery and homicide, is widespread.

The State Department issued an updated travel advisory for Mexico on December 8, advising Americans to reconsider travel south of the border due to COVID-19. While the government warns that some areas of Mexico have an increased risk of crime and kidnapping, popular tourist-friendly states such as Baja California Sur (Los Cabos) and Quintana Roo (Cancun and Riviera Maya) fall under the Level 2 "exercise increased caution" category heading into 2022.

Jamaica was downgraded from a Level 3 to a Level 2 on December 13, with the State Department advising Americans to exercise increased caution due to COVID-19 and crime. "This reduced designation is a testament to the work of our government and the Jamaican people themselves to mitigate the impact of this pandemic," said Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism for Jamaica.

The lengthy list of European countries to receive a Level 4 travel advisory from the State Department includes Italy. On December 13, officials mirrored the CDC by advising Americans to avoid traveling to the country due to the pandemic. The State Department also recommends that visitors exercise increased caution due to terrorism.

The State Department and CDC lowered their travel advisories for the Bahamas ahead of Christmas. The former recommended that travelers exercise increased caution in the islands due to COVID-19 and crime while the latter also issued a Level 2 Travel Health Notice, indicating a moderate level of COVID-19. "We view this lowered advisory favorably as it is proof that our protocols and protective measures to combat COVID-19 in The Bahamas are working," said Deputy Prime Minister I. Chester, Cooper Bahamas Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation.

As of December 20, the State Department encourages travelers to reconsider plans to visit Japan due to the latest COVID-related conditions. Despite the CDC's indication of a low level of COVID-19 in Japan, the U.S. Embassy points out that "travel for tourism and most other short-term purposes is still not permitted, and there is no indication that this will change in the short term."

Spain received a Level 4 designation from the State Department on December 20, with officials warning of the risks of COVID-19. Visitors are also asked to exercise increased caution in Spain due to the threat of terrorism and civil unrest.

Malta, which announced that it was the first country in the European Union to reach herd immunity from COVID-19 back in May, was upgraded to a Level 4 on December 28, with U.S. officials advising that Americans avoid the destination due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.