TRAVEL ALERTS

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with editorial amendments to the Travel Summary and the Health section. The overall level of the advice has not changed; there are no travel restrictions in place in this travel advice for Paraguay.

(see travel advice legal disclaimer)

The State Department alerts U.S. citizens traveling to and residing in Chile of ongoing forest fires in several regions across the country. The regions of most concern include the 12th Region Magallanes, location of the Torres del Paine National Park, the 7th Region Maule, and the 8th Region Bio Bio. January is the peak of the austral summer tourist season, and parts of the affected areas are known for outdoor sports and adventure tourism. January is also the summer dry season in Chile, with conditions that increase the risk of fire throughout the country. This Travel Alert updates the alert issued on December 30, 2011, and expires on January 31, 2012.

Chilean authorities have been battling serious forest fires in the Torres del Paine National Park since late December 2011. The Park was closed completely on December 30, 2011 due to the danger presented by the fires. The Chilean government reopened portions of the park on January 4, 2012, including some hotels and camping sites. More recently, fires have broken out in other regions. The Department of State urges U.S. citizens to exercise caution when traveling to the Park or any other affected region and to follow the instructions of local officials. Because of the unpredictable nature of these events, travelers should visit the official website of the Chilean National Tourist Service at http://www.sernatur.cl/ or send an email to infomagallanes@sernatur.cl, for up-to-date information. The Chilean Federal Emergency Management Agency (ONEMI) also publishes frequent updates on conditions related to forest fires at www.onemi.cl.

U.S. citizens who travel to or reside in Chile are encouraged to enroll in the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). U.S. citizens without internet access may enroll directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By enrolling, you make it easier for the U.S. Embassy or Consulate to contact you in case of an emergency. The American Citizen Services Unit is located in the U.S. Embassy at Avenida Andres Bello 2800, Las Condes, Santiago, and can be reached by calling 56-2-330-3000, or by e-mailing santiagoamcit@state.gov.

Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

Stay up to date by bookmarking our Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which contains the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook.

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with editorial amendments to the Safety and Security - Political Situation section (removal of reference to planned demonstrations in January). The overall level of advice has not changed; there are no travel restrictions in place in this travel advice for Bahrain.

(see travel advice legal disclaimer)

FCO advises against all travel to parts of this country.

FCO advises against all but essential travel to parts of this country.

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with an amendment to the Travel Summary and the Safety and Security - Local Travel - Major Pre-planned strikes section (demonstration in central Athens). The overall level of the advice has not changed; there are no travel restrictions in place in this travel advice for Greece.

(see travel advice legal disclaimer)

FCO advises against all travel to parts of this country.

FCO advises against all but essential travel to parts of this country.

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with editorial amendments throughout. The overall level of the advice has not changed; we advise against all travel to specific regions of India and against all but essential travel to other specific regions of India.

(see travel advice legal disclaimer)

The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens residing in or traveling to the Philippines to difficult conditions in the flood-affected areas of the southern part of the Philippines, particularly the provinces of Misamis Oriental and Lanao del Norte, which include the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, respectively. The Philippine government has declared a state of emergency (the official Philippine terminology is "state of calamity") for the region. The Department of State recommends against all but essential travel to the affected areas. This Travel Alert extends only to the areas of the Philippines listed in the following paragraph. This Travel Alert will expire on February 5, 2012.

Tropical Storm Washi (known locally as Tropical Storm Sendong) brought exceptionally heavy rainfall and produced extensive flooding in heavily-populated coastal areas throughout many provinces in the southern part of the Philippines. Flooding and landslides have caused significant loss of life and damage to property. The affected areas include the cities of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro in the province of Misamis Oriental and, to a lesser extent, towns in 12 additional provinces: Capiz, Bohol, Negros Oriental, Zamboanga del Norte, Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Sur, and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.  

Although the floodwaters have receded, destroyed bridges and blocked roads have hampered transportation and limited access to some essential services in the affected regions. There are reports of shortages of bottled water and food, and disruptions to communication, transportation, and power services. These disruptions increase the risk of waterborne disease. It is unclear how long these conditions will last. U.S. citizens in the affected areas should follow the advice of local authorities, monitor local media, and refer to the U.S. Embassy web page for specific information.

U.S. citizens who travel to or reside in the Philippines are encouraged to enroll in the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). U.S. citizens without internet access may enroll directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By enrolling, you make it easier for the U.S. Embassy or Consulate to contact you in case of an emergency.

U.S. citizens living in the Philippines should contact the U.S. Embassy in Manila for the most up-to-date information. The American Citizen Services Unit is located in the Embassy at 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Manila, and can be reached by calling 63-2-301-2000, or by e-mailing acsinfomanila@state.gov. The Embassy's after-hours emergency telephone number is 63-2-301-2000.

Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

Stay up to date by bookmarking our Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which contains the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well. 

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with to the addition of a General - UK Passport Application section and an amendment to the General - Contact Details section (Consular Warden contact details). The overall level of the advice has not changed; there are no travel restrictions in place in this travel advice for Bhutan.

(see travel advice legal disclaimer)

FCO advises against all travel to parts of this country.

FCO advises against all but essential travel to parts of this country.

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with editorial amendments to the Travel Summary and amendments to the Safety and Security - Terrorism (kidnaps in the Bekaa Valley) and Local Travel (editorial) sections. The overall level of the advice has not changed; we continue to advise against all but essential travel to within 5km of the Syrian border; against all but essential travel to the Bekaa Valley, South of the Litani and against all travel to Palestinian refugee camps.

To see a PDF version of this map, click here (197 KB).

(see travel advice legal disclaimer)

FCO advises against all but essential travel to parts of this country.

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the Travel Summary and the Safety and Security - Terrorism section. The overall level of the advice has not changed; we continue to advise against all but essential travel to the Oblasts (Provinces) of Osh and Jalal-Abad.

(see travel advice legal disclaimer)

FCO advises against all travel to parts of this country.

FCO advises against all but essential travel to parts of this country.

FCO advises against all travel to parts of this country.

FCO advises against all but essential travel to parts of this country.

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with editorial amendments. The overall level of the advice has not changed; we continue to advise against all travel to specific regions of Afghanistan and against all but essential travel to other specific regions of Afghanistan.

(see travel advice legal disclaimer)

To see a PDF version of this map, click here (404.21 KB).

FCO advises against all but essential travel to parts of this country.

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with an amendment to the Travel Summary (nationwide day of protest on Monday 19 December). The overall level of the advice has not changed; we advise against all but essential travel to the Chittagong Hill Tracts area of Bangladesh.

(see travel advice legal disclaimer)

FCO advises against all travel to parts of this country.