15 Key Travel Advisories Announced in January

The U.S. State Department issued close to 90 updated travel advisories in the month of January. The vast majority of the latest guidance recommended that Americans reconsider or even avoid travel to most places around the world due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the recent Omicron surge-more than half of global advisories are Level 4: Do Not Travel and more than one-fifth are Level 3: Reconsider Travel. Here are some of the most notable updates you may have missed.

The U.S. State Department began 2022 with four updated travel advisories on January 4, one of them being Level 4: Do Not Travel guidance for the Caribbean island of Aruba due to COVID-19-related conditions. Despite the update, Aruba made visiting even easier in January by accepting antigen tests and making it simpler for recovered individuals to enter.

Canada was added to the list of countries to avoid on January 10, with officials advising Americans to postpone their plans due to COVID-19 and noting the CDC's Level 4 Travel Health Notice for the country, which indicates a very high level of COVID-19.

As of January 18, U.S. travelers are encouraged to reconsider travel to Cuba due to the pandemic. The State Department also recommends that people exercise increased caution on the island due to "demonstrable and sometimes debilitating injuries to members of our diplomatic community resulting in the drawdown of embassy staff."

Australia remains closed to U.S. travelers amid the pandemic, prompting a January update from the State Department reminding Americans to avoid the destination due to COVID-19-related restrictions.

Bermuda was also among the many Level 4 travel advisories issued on January 18. The U.S. government is currently advising that Americans avoid the island destination due to COVID-19, pointing out that the CDC has issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice for Bermuda indicating a very high level of coronavirus.

Like Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands remain open to American travelers but have received a Level 4 travel advisory from the State Department due to the threat posed by the ongoing pandemic.

U.S. officials are asking Americans to avoid travel to Egypt due to COVID-19 as of January 18 and encouraging them to reconsider travel due to the threat of terrorism. What's more, individuals traveling to Egypt should exercise increased caution due to the local Embassy's limited ability to assist dual national U.S.-Egyptian citizens who are arrested or detained.

Panama is another nation listed at Level 4 due to COVID-19 heading into the month of February. The State Department also recommends that travelers exercise increased caution due to crime, pointing out that some areas, including parts of the Mosquito Gulf and the Darién Region, have increased risk.

The State Department is also advising travelers to avoid the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia due to the pandemic this winter. The country has reopened to travelers and boasts a handful of stellar resorts, including the underrated Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa.

The Bahamas continues to be among the most sought-after destinations for warm-weather seekers this winter. Nonetheless, the State Department is advising against travel to the islands right now due to COVID-19 and is also encouraging visitors to exercise increased caution in the country because of crime.

The State Department added the Turks and Caicos Islands to its "Do Not Travel" list due to COVID-19 just days before the Caribbean destination updated its entry requirements through the end of February. Currently, 80 percent of the islands' population is fully vaccinated against COVID-19. In addition to the pandemic, U.S. officials ask travelers to exercise increased caution due to crime.

One of Americans' favorite overseas destinations, Costa Rica is also listed at Level 4 due to the coronavirus pandemic to close out January. Additionally, the State Department asks visitors to exercise increased caution in the Central American country due to crime.

The Dominican Republic has been one of the most accessible overseas destinations throughout the pandemic as visitors don't require proof of vaccination nor a negative test to gain entry. While that hasn't changed, the State Department is now advising Americans to avoid the Caribbean country due to COVID-19.

The State Department is currently encouraging U.S. travelers to avoid visiting Jamaica due to the current COVID-19-related conditions and also asks visitors to exercise increased caution in the island country due to the potential for crime.

In the Middle East, the United Arab Emirates was added to the lengthy list of Level 4 destinations on January 26. Heading into February, the State Department is advising Americans to avoid travel to the UAE due to the threat of COVID-19 and encouraging them to reconsider travel due to the threat of missile or drone attacks.