Copyright Men's Journal
The U.S. Department of State has an extensive list of travel advisories and warnings for nations all around the globe, giving travelers vital information to help ensure their safety when they travel abroad. These travel advisories vary greatly in severity, ranging from Level 1 advisories that remind travelers to simply “exercise normal precautions” to Level 4 “do not travel” warnings. Last month, the United States issued three of those most severe travel warnings. Degrees of Travel Advisories The State Department has a database of advisories warning travelers of the risks associated with each country. The travel advisories range in severity from relatively innocuous Level 1 advisories to the most severe Level 4 advisories. A Level 1 travel advisory reminds travelers to simply “exercise normal precautions” during travel. This travel advisory applies to countries that are generally perceived as safe, such as Canada, Australia, and Greece. A Level 2 travel advisory encourages travelers to “exercise increased caution” when visiting certain destinations due to elevated risks such as theft. Nations currently listed under a Level 2 advisory include Brazil, France, Italy, and India. Level 3 advisories take things a step further, warning travelers to “reconsider travel” to those countries because of heightened safety concerns. Among the countries under a Level 3 advisory are Colombia, Pakistan, and Uganda. At the highest level, Level 4 advisories are the most serious, warning travelers “do not travel” to those destinations. Countries in this category include Iran, North Korea, Russia, and Sudan. Three ‘Do Not Travel’ Warnings in October Level 4 travel advisories are somewhat rare, with the State Department having only 22 active “do not travel” warnings in its database. However, last month, the state department issued three of those warnings. In October, the United States issued “do not travel” warnings for three different countries: Sudan, Mali, and Niger. On Oct. 15, the United States issued a Level 4 travel advisory for Sudan, warning travelers about the risks of unrest, crime, kidnapping, terrorism, and landmines while offering an updated advisory about the health threats the country faces. On Oct. 30, the State Department issued a Level 4 “do not travel” warning for Mali, advising travelers not to travel to the country due to crime, terrorism, kidnapping, unrest, and health. This order came after the Department of State ordered non-emergency employees and their family members to leave Mali due to safety risks. On Oct. 31, the United States issued a Level 4 travel advisory for Niger, warning against traveling to the country for any reason due to crime, unrest, terrorism, health, and kidnapping. This advisory came after an American missionary was kidnapped in the country.
