Recapping the US State Department's January Travel Advisories

The U.S. State Department started the new year the same way it ended last, by issuing nearly two dozen updated travel advisories across six different continents over the course of 31 days in January. Here's the important information that you may have missed.

On January 2, the State Department reissued its Level 2 travel advisory (exercise increased caution) for Nepal, continuing to warn of the potential for isolated political violence. It also reissued its Level 3 advisory (reconsider travel) for the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Central Africa due to crime, civil unrest and Ebola. Americans determined to visit the Congo should continue to avoid North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri provinces as well as the eastern DRC region and the three Kasai provinces.

Bolivia received an updated Level 2 travel advisory from the U.S. State Department on January 6 amid civil unrest. "Demonstrations, strikes and roadblocks can occur at any time in Bolivia," the U.S. government warned. "Demonstrations can result in violence. Roadblocks and strikes have cut off traffic and restricted the flow of goods and services around the country. Domestic and international flights may be delayed or unexpectedly canceled."

Travelers visiting Costa Rica should exercise increased caution due to crime. As of January 7, the Central American country is at a Level 2, with the State Department warning that "petty crime is the predominant threat for tourists in Costa Rica...The Costa Rican government provides additional security resources in areas frequented by tourists."

The State Department reissued its Level 1 travel advisory (exercise normal precautions) for Samoa on January 8 so Americans can continue to exercise normal precautions when visiting the Oceania island chain.

Iraq remains off-limits due to terrorism, kidnapping and armed conflict. The Level 4 travel advisory (do not travel) was reissued on January 11 with an update that U.S. Embassy personnel in Baghdad have been instructed not to use Baghdad International Airport.

Travelers can exercise normal precautions in Kyrgyzstan based on the U.S. government's most recent travel advisory update, which was issued on January 13 following a periodic review.

The State Department was busy on January 14, reissuing four travel advisory updates, including Level 1 advisories for Canada, Croatia and Poland. Meanwhile, Brazil remains at a Level 2 due to crime. Americans visiting the South American country should not travel to areas within 100 miles of Brazil's land borders with Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana and Paraguay, informal housing developments (favelas) or Brasilia's administrative regions, also known as "satellite cities."

The U.S. government also reissued four updated travel advisories on January 15, with Slovenia and Montenegro remaining at Level 1 and Italy remaining at Level 2 due to the threat of terrorism. The Southeast Asian nation of Timor-Leste is also at a Level 2 as of mid-January due to crime and civil unrest.

On January 16, the State Department reissued its Level 2 travel advisory for Serbia, warning Americans to exercise increased caution due to crime and pointing out that "violence associated with organized crime and high-profile sporting events in Serbia is common."

While Australia is at a Level 1 as of January 21, Americans are encouraged to exercise increased caution in areas affected by bushfires and air quality issues by monitoring local news, heeding the instructions of authorities and dialing 000 if they are in need of immediate assistance. In East Africa, Burundi remains at a Level 3 as of January 21, with travelers advised to reconsider visiting due to crime, health and political violence.

The tiny European nation of Luxembourg and Oceania's Micronesia and the Solomon Islands all remain at Level 1 following uneventful updates on January 29. Travelers can continue to exercise normal precautions when visiting all three destinations.

The State Department issued a Level 4 travel advisory for China due to the coronavirus outbreak first identified in Wuhan in Hubei Province. Americans are being asked to not travel to China. "The World Health Organization has determined the rapidly spreading outbreak constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern," the U.S. government warned. "Travelers should be prepared for travel restrictions to be put into effect with little or no advance notice. Commercial carriers have reduced or suspended routes to and from China." Meanwhile, Hong Kong and Macau are both at Level 2 as of January 31 while Pakistan remains at Level 3 due to terrorism concerns.