State Department warns US citizens not to travel abroad due to coronavirus pandemic

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: CNN

Washington (CNN)The US State Department on Thursday warned American citizens not to travel abroad due to the coronavirus pandemic, issuing its highest level travel alert.

The Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory "advises U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19." "In countries where commercial departure options remain available, U.S. citizens who live in the United States should arrange for immediate return to the United States, unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period," the alert said. The State Department alert advised US citizens living abroad to "avoid all international travel."

"Many countries are experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks and implementing travel restrictions and mandatory quarantines, closing borders, and prohibiting non-citizens from entry with little advance notice," it said. "Airlines have cancelled many international flights and several cruise operators have suspended operations or cancelled trips. If you choose to travel internationally, your travel plans may be severely disrupted, and you may be forced to remain outside of the United States for an indefinite timeframe," it said.

Four sources told CNN earlier on Thursday that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had approved the Level 4 advisory. Last week the advisory was raised globally to Level 3: Reconsider Travel "due to the global impact of COVID-19." Asked about the advisory, President Donald Trump said that he couldn't "say right now" but noted he would be "speaking with the State Department later."

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/19/politics/state-department-travel-advisory/index.html

[BamaRefugee]

1. How would they get "abroad"? A rowboat?

[BumRushDaShow]

4. Maybe one of these

[Steelrolled]

7. Still flights going overseas

There are still plenty of foreign nationals heading home (for better or worse, they don't know).

[Bernardo de La Paz]

2. Earlier, tRump overrode a strong doctor recommendation to warn 60+ about travel on planes. . . . nt

[DonaldsRump]

3. Not joking: perhaps we are safer going overseas?

At least those other countries don't have someone as stupid as Trump and his complete failure to act. I trust most of those leaders far more than Trump.

He's FUBARed this so badly in the US, it deserves to be called The Trump Virus in the US of A.

[nilram]

6. Italy sounds safer right now--everyone's inside.

Even the Czech Republic is on lockdown. A friend there was detained for going out without a mask.

[Steelrolled]

8. I don't think anyone knows where the safest place is.

My guess would be South Korea, if they would let you in.

[Dream Girl]

5. Think they are about to shut down overseas flights

[Evolve Dammit]

9. Relative at airport. Still not screening all passengers. Epic fail.

[PoliticAverse]

10. Direct link to the advisory...

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/travel-advisory-alert-global-level-4-health-advisory-issue.html

Global Level 4 Health Advisory – Do Not Travel
Global Health Advisory
March 19, 2020
Level 4: Do Not Travel

The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19. In countries where commercial departure options remain available, U.S. citizens who live in the United States should arrange for immediate return to the United States, unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period. U.S. citizens who live abroad should avoid all international travel. Many countries are experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks and implementing travel restrictions and mandatory quarantines, closing borders, and prohibiting non-citizens from entry with little advance notice. Airlines have cancelled many international flights and several cruise operators have suspended operations or cancelled trips. If you choose to travel internationally, your travel plans may be severely disrupted, and you may be forced to remain outside of the United States for an indefinite timeframe.

On March 14, the Department of State authorized the departure of U.S. personnel and family members from any diplomatic or consular post in the world who have determined they are at higher risk of a poor outcome if exposed to COVID-19 or who have requested departure based on a commensurate justification. These departures may limit the ability of U.S. Embassies and consulates to provide services to U.S. citizens.

For the latest information regarding COVID-19, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) website.

You are encouraged to visit travel.state.gov to view individual Travel Advisories for the most urgent threats to safety and security. Please also visit the website of the relevant U.S. embassy or consulate to see information on entry restrictions, foreign quarantine policies, and urgent health information provided by local governments.

Travelers are urged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. The Department uses these Alerts to convey information about terrorist threats, security incidents, planned demonstrations, natural disasters, etc. In an emergency, please contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate or call the following numbers: 1(888) 407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1 [phone] from other countries or jurisdictions.

If you decide to travel abroad or are already outside the United States:

Consider returning to your country of residence immediately using whatever commercial means are available.
Have a travel plan that does not rely on the U.S. Government for assistance.
Review and follow the CDC’s guidelines for the prevention of coronavirus.
Check with your airline, cruise lines, or travel operators regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
Visit travel.state.gov to view individual Travel Advisories for the most urgent threats to safety and security.
Visit our Embassy webpages on COVID-19 for information on conditions in each country or jurisdiction.
Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States
Visit Keeping workplaces, homes, schools, or commercial establishments safe.

[BumRushDaShow]

11. Thank you!

When I posted the OP, I kept refreshing the State Department site with advisories and they hadn't posted it yet.

[Raven123]

12. Must have done under the "tremendous leadership of Pres. Trump."

Otherwise it would have been issued a lot sooner.

[rustysgurl]

13. My son is in Brazil ...

.. he was supposed to fly back to the US on the 30th on American Airlines. He called American, and was told that American was "working hard" to get US citizens back to the US. However, all American flights from any city in Brazil to any city in the US are cancelled through March 26th. He tried to activate his travel insurance, but they won't cover anything because, technically, his flight on the 30th isn't cancelled ... YET. Anyone want to take bets on America cancelling his flight on the 30th? American said they would help him get a flight on another airline in the meantime, but that hasn't happened yet. So, he thinks he's just going to stay in Brazil until his flight on the 30th and take his chances.

I'm a worried Mom. But who knows ... maybe he's safer there?

[BumRushDaShow]

14. Has he checked in with the Embassy (or a consulate)?

I know often communications even to those can be slow but apparently there are people stranded all around the world (sortof reminicent of 9/11 with the entire U.S. air system shutdown for 4 days).

[rustysgurl]

15. Yes, he has registered with the Consulate

He is in contact with them, and I am in contact with our local rep here, who gave me her direct line # if he can't get help there. He's safe and fed and sheltered and among friends. If it was any other country than Brazil I wouldn't worry, but Bolsonaro is as bad as Trump. He thinks it's all "hysteria," and there are protests in Sao Paulo calling for his ouster.

My son is a big red-headed white (and I mean pasty white) dude (his friends call him "The Ginger Viking&quot in a city full of non red-headed, non-pasty white dudes. He was almost carjacked on his first day there (they accidentally drove into the wrong neighborhood).

So yeah .. I am worried, but know there is little I can do. I've been on the phone nonstop since early this morning.

We'll see what the US officials on the ground there can do.

In the meantime ... wash your hands and stay inside!

[BumRushDaShow]

16. Wish him and you and your family some good news!