10 Key Travel Advisories Announced In September 2020

The U.S. State Department lifted its Level 4 advisory against international travel in August and has since been updating and reissuing travel advisories for individual countries and territories to keep Americans informed as they return to travel abroad. Here are some of the most notable updates from September.

The U.S. State Department downgraded its travel advisory for Mexico to a Level 3 (reconsider travel) due to the threat of COVID-19 in early September. Nonetheless, the popular destination is one of the few international destinations Americans can easily access amid the pandemic and many travelers have reported positive experiences in the Mexican Caribbean, Los Cabos and other tourist-friendly places.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is at a Level 3 (reconsider travel) due to health and safety measures and COVID-related conditions as of September 8. Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Level 2 Travel Health Notice for the Caribbean hotspot due to COVID-19.

Americans visiting Cambodia should exercise increased caution due to COVID-19. The coveted Asian destination reopened to travel this past summer, charging visitors a hefty deposit in the event that their trip is impacted the virus.

The State Department warns of COVID-19 and the arbitrary enforcement of local laws in China and Hong Kong as of September 14, recommending travelers avoid the destination if at all possible. The CDC has also issued a Level 3 Travel Health Notice for China and Hong Kong due to the coronavirus.

South Africa, which is planning to reopen to tourism in October, is at a Level 3 (reconsider travel) due to COVID-19 as of September 15. State Department officials also advise travelers to exercise increased caution in the country due to crime, civil unrest and drought.

Fiji is one of the few destinations to receive a Level 2 travel advisory (exercise increased caution) from the State Department in September. Nonetheless, Americans are only permitted to enter in limited cases.

Egypt reopened its borders to travel months ago but is currently at a Level 3 (reconsider travel) as a result of the threat of COVID-19, terrorism and the local Embassy's limited ability to assist dual national U.S.-Egyptian citizens who are arrested or detained, according to the State Department's September 21 update.

The State Department is encouraging Americans to reconsider travel to Israel and the West Bank due to COVID-19, which has prompted travel restrictions and quarantine procedures. Travelers are also advised to exercise increased caution in Israel and the West Bank due to terrorism and civil unrest and should not travel to Gaza due to a number of threats, including COVID-19, terrorism, civil unrest and armed conflict.

The Caribbean island of Bonaire remains at a Level 3 (reconsider travel) amid the ongoing pandemic. The southern Caribbean destination was one of the many to receive a Level 3 advisory or higher this past summer.

The U.S. State Department also advises Americans to reconsider travel to Curacao due to health and safety measures and COVID-related conditions as of September 28, reminding travelers that the CDC has issued a Level 3 Travel Health Notice for the island due to the pandemic.