Recapping the US State Department's March 2020 Travel Advisories

Despite the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the U.S. State Department continues to assess threat levels in travel destinations all across the globe. A Global Level 4 Health Advisory advising Americans to avoid all international travel due to COVID-19 was issued on March 19. However, that doesn't mean every country is at a Level 4 heading into April. Here's the important information that you may have missed amid all of the news this past month.

The U.S. government issued a Level 4 (do not travel) advisory for Haiti on March 5, warning Americans of crime, civil unrest and kidnapping. "Violent crime, such as armed robbery and carjacking, is common. Kidnapping is widespread. Kidnappers may use sophisticated planning or take advantage of unplanned opportunities. Victims have included U.S. citizens," the State Department says. "Demonstrations, tire burning, and roadblocks are frequent, unpredictable, and can turn violent."

The State Department reissued its Level 2 (exercise increased caution) travel advisory for Egypt "due to terrorism and to the Embassy's limited ability to assist dual U.S.-Egyptian citizens who are arrested or detained." Americans are encouraged to avoid travel to the Sinai Peninsula-with the exception of Sharm El-Sheikh by air-and the Western Desert due to terrorism and Egyptian border areas due to military zones.

The State Department reissued its Level 1 (exercise normal precautions) travel advisory for the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean-one of the world's least dangerous travel destinations for 2020-following a periodic review on March 3.

As of March 6, Americans are advised to reconsider travel to Azerbaijan because of the risk posed by the significant increase of COVID-19 cases coming from the Iranian border as well as the local government's response to the virus. Travelers should also avoid the Nagorno-Karabakh region entirely due to armed conflict.

Elsewhere in the Pacific, Tuvalu, located midway between Hawaii and Australia, also remains at Level 1 following the department's most recent review on March 3.

Nauru in Oceania remains at a Level 1 on the State Department's advisory scale following a periodic review without changes on March 11.

Americans are being asked to reconsider travel to Lebanon due to a slew of potential threats this spring, including crime, terrorism, armed conflict and civil unrest. As of March 18, travelers should avoid the country's borders with Syria and Israel as well as refugee settlements due to the aforementioned risks.

On March 18, the State Department urged travelers to reconsider travel to Micronesia due to COVID-19 and "Embassy Kolonia's limited capacity to provide support to U.S. citizens." The U.S. government warned of a reduction in commercial flights and likely challenges for arranging medevac flights.

The global impact of COVID-19 prompted the State Department to issue a Level 3 travel advisory for Tajikistan on March 18. "Travelers should be prepared for travel restrictions to be put into effect with little or no advance notice," the department stated, adding that "medical protocols in Tajikistan are not consistent with U.S. standards."

Mongolia's travel advisory was upgraded to Level 4 on March 18 due to the threat posed by COVID-19 as well as the East Asian country's suspension of all international travel in response to the ongoing outbreak in neighboring countries.

Indonesia is also off-limits to Americans as of March 26 due to the global impact of COVID-19. Beyond the threat of illness, travelers are encouraged to exercise increased caution in Indonesia because of the risk of terrorism and natural disasters. Visitors should also reconsider travel to Central Sulawesi and Papua due to civil unrest.

Iraq remains a no-go for Americans due to terrorism, kidnapping and armed conflict in addition to the latest Global Health Advisory issued in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Americans should reconsider travel to Israel and the West Bank due to travel restrictions and quarantine procedures implemented by the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority in response to COVID-19 and avoid travel to Gaza altogether due to the threat of terrorism, civil unrest and armed conflict.

Turkmenistan is the latest country to be updated with a Level 3 travel advisory from the State Department due to COVID-19. "On March 27, 2020, the Department of State ordered the departure of all family members of U.S. government employees under the age of 18 in addition to the authorized departure of non-emergency personnel and family members of U.S. government employees due to stringent travel restrictions and quarantine procedures that affect commercial flights."