logo
ENع
#

Latest news with #StateDept

Is it safe to go to Jamaica right now? State Dept. eases travel advisory
Is it safe to go to Jamaica right now? State Dept. eases travel advisory

USA Today

time18 hours ago

  • USA Today

Is it safe to go to Jamaica right now? State Dept. eases travel advisory

Is it safe to go to Jamaica right now? State Dept. eases travel advisory Show Caption Hide Caption Travel safety tips for traveling abroad with a smartphone These tips will help you have some peace of mind in case your smartphone gets lost or stolen while you're traveling. Problem Solved The State Department has eased its travel advisory for Jamaica, but still wants Americans to be careful while visiting the popular Caribbean destination. On Thursday, the travel advisory was lowered to Level 2 or "exercise increased caution." Jamaica had been listed as Level 3 or "reconsider travel," due to crime and health-care concerns. The change comes two months after Secretary of State Marco Rubio traveled to Jamaica and pledged to re-evaluate its travel notice. The highest possible advisory level is Level 4 or "do not travel." "We take seriously our commitment to provide U.S. citizens with clear, timely, and reliable information about every country in the world so they can make informed travel decisions," a State Department spokesperson previously told USA TODAY. "The Department of State routinely updates our Travel Advisories and destination information pages based on a comprehensive review of all available safety information and ongoing developments." Here's what travelers should know. Is it safe to travel from the US to Jamaica? The overall advisory level has been lowered, but the State Department warns crime and medical concerns remain, and there are areas travelers are urged to avoid all together. "While violent crime in Jamaica has decreased since 2024, it remains statistically high throughout the country," according to Thursday's advisory, which adds that armed robberies and sexual assaults are common and homicide rates are among the Western Hemisphere's highest. "Tourist areas generally see lower rates of violent crime than other parts of the country," the State Department continued, but noted, "The U.S. Embassy routinely receives reports of sexual assaults, including from U.S. citizen tourists at resorts" and many cases aren't fully prosecuted. U.S. embassy personnel are prohibited from visiting certain parts of Jamaica, which travelers are also warned against visiting "for any reason." See the State Department's travel advisory page for the full list. How to stay safe while traveling The State Department shared the following safety tips for Americans visiting Jamaica: The State Department also notes that Americans should not expect the same level of medical care in Jamaica, including slower emergency response, less available care and potentially having to pay up front before being admitted to hospitals. Travelers are encouraged to buy insurance before their trips. Contributing: Reuters

State Dept. warns travelers of terrorism risk in European hot spots, including Italy
State Dept. warns travelers of terrorism risk in European hot spots, including Italy

USA Today

time4 days ago

  • USA Today

State Dept. warns travelers of terrorism risk in European hot spots, including Italy

State Dept. warns travelers of terrorism risk in European hot spots, including Italy Show Caption Hide Caption Flying is the safest way to travel according to global safety experts Flying is the safest way to travel, according to experts. As the summer travel season ramps up, the State Department is warning Americans to "exercise increased caution" when visiting several popular European destinations, including Italy. A travel advisory dated May 23 said, "There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Italy." Italy is considered a Level 2 country on the State Department's advisory scale, which ranges from Level 1, "exercise normal precautions," to Level 4, "Do not travel." It has been at that level since April 2022, according to a State Department spokesperson. Other Level 2 European countries with a risk of potential terrorism include but are not limited to Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. Travelers can find the latest safety advisories for every country on the State Department's website. You guys are not afraid of this?' Why some travelers skip the U.S. What are the safety tips for travel? For Italy and other destinations where extra caution is advised, the State Department recommends travelers: Review the traveler's checklist and prepare emergency contingency plans Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive embassy alerts and be easier to reach in the event of an emergency Stay alert in tourist areas Pay attention to local news coverage and pivot plans as needed While travelers are encouraged to "be aware of increased risks to safety and security" in Level 2 destinations, they are not discouraged from visiting nor does it mean these places are unsafe. A State Department spokesperson told USA TODAY each country's safety and other conditions are regularly reviewed, and advisory levels are based on established risk indicators like crime, civil unrest, natural disasters, health, wrongful detention and more, so travelers can make informed decisions. It's also worth noting that the State Department only offers guidance on foreign travel, and some countries have warned their citizens about visiting the U.S.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store