12 Key Travel Advisories Announced in May 2021

The U.S. State Department of State has been busy in recent weeks assessing potential threats to Americans traveling abroad. More than one year into the coronavirus pandemic, COVID-19 continues to be the leading cause of concern behind the department's updated travel advisories. Here are some of the most notable pieces of advice from State Department officials heading into the busy summer travel period.

The State Department encouraged Americans to reconsider travel to Anguilla due to health and safety measures and COVID-related conditions in an update on May 10 as the country was in the midst of a temporary shutdown. However, Anguilla has since reopened to visitors, and, beginning July 1, fully vaccinated visitors will no longer be required to quarantine and or undergo testing upon arrival. Travelers will still need to apply for entry permission and produce a negative COVID-19 test result taken three to five days prior to arrival.

French Polynesia, which includes the popular island destinations of Tahiti and Bora Bora, is listed at a Level 3 (reconsider travel) due to COVID-19 as of May 10. The islands recently reopened to international visitors who can meet vaccination and testing requirements.

The State Department is asking Americans to reconsider travel to the United Kingdom due to COVID-19 this summer and to exercise increased caution due to terrorism. "There are restrictions in place affecting U.S. citizen entry into the United Kingdom," the department states, referring to the destination's risk-based "traffic light" system that breaks countries up into red, amber and green categories.

"Do not travel to Egypt due to COVID-19," the State Department said in a May 12 update. "Reconsider travel due to terrorism and do not travel to 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." Officials also recommend Americans exercise increased caution if traveling to Egypt due to the Embassy's limited ability to assist dual national U.S.-Egyptian citizens in the event that they are arrested or detained.

The ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict led the State Department to issue a Level 3 travel advisory for Israel, the West Bank and Gaza on May 13. Officials are urging Americans to reconsider travel to Israel due to armed conflict and civil unrest and to exercise increased caution in Israel due to COVID-19, travel restrictions and quarantine procedures instituted by the local government. "Do not travel to the West Bank due to COVID-19, travel restrictions and quarantine procedures instituted by the Palestinian Authority," the department warned. "Do not travel to Gaza due to COVID-19, terrorism, civil unrest, and armed conflict." Israel recently began welcoming vaccinated group tours.

Barbados is listed at Level 3 due to COVID-19. As of May 17, Americans are advised to reconsider travel to the Caribbean island for now. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also issued a Level 3 Travel Health Notice for Barbados, indicating a high level of COVID-19. The island remains open to travelers with some vaccination and testing requirements.

Although Thailand continues to reopen to tourists in phases, the State Department encourages potential visitors to reconsider travel due to the pandemic. Travelers are also advised to reconsider any travel plans to Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Songkhla provinces due to civil unrest.

While the CDC only warns of a moderate level of COVID-19 in Fiji, the State Department is advising Americans to avoid the South Pacific country for now due to COVID-related conditions, which include restrictions on entry. "Commercial transportation to/from Fiji is not available or only sporadically available," the department states. "It may be difficult to enter or leave Fiji and travelers should expect delays entering Fiji and/or returning to the United States."

Colombia is also one of the many countries around the world listed at Level 4 heading into June. In an update published on May 18, the State Department advised Americans to avoid travel to the South American destination due to COVID-19 and to exercise increased caution in Colombia due to civil unrest, crime, terrorism and kidnapping. Colombia is open to tourists but they are warned that the country is "experiencing continuing demonstrations, unrest, and disruptions." Travelers are asked to avoid Arauca, Cauca (except Popayán), Chocó (except Nuquí), Nariño, and Norte de Santander (except Cúcuta) departments due to crime and terrorism.

As of May 24, travelers should reconsider plans to visit the Caribbean islands of Antigua and Barbuda due to the pandemic. The destination is open to tourists but those age 12 and up will require a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within seven days of their arrival and are subject to quarantine as determined by the Quarantine Authority, the U.S. Embassy in the Eastern Caribbean states.

The State Department advised Americans to avoid travel to Japan due to COVID-19 in an update published on May 24, citing the CDC's Level 4 Travel Health Notice for the country due to the current conditions related to the coronavirus and restrictions preventing U.S. citizens to visit for tourism purposes.

The State Department issued a Level 4 travel advisory for Sri Lanka on May 24 as the country entered a lockdown due to a recent surge in COVID-19 cases. Sri Lanka's international airports have been closed to arriving international commercial passenger flights until at least June 1, the U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka states. In addition to the coronavirus threat, officials advise future visitors to the country to exercise increased caution due to terrorism.