State Department Travel Recommendations
On November 15, 2023, the official word from the State Department was “Caution.” At the top of the Department of State website, you will see “Worldwide Caution” in orange. There are multiple reasons to consider the State Department’s Go or No Go recommendations. The question should be, is the risk worth the reward? Evaluate today’s travel choices. The Department of State is aware of the changes that take place. They have to because we live in a rapidly changing security environment.
World Instability
Here are a few countries in the current conflict: Taiwan-China, North and South Korea. Israel is dealing with Iran’s proxies. Ukraine, Russia, India, and Pakistan are a few countries in the news daily. There are many others; let us say these are the top five. It would be better to say, “Know before you go.” This means that it’s always a good idea to be informed beforehand.
Do Some Research
It’s always a good idea to be informed before traveling. Learn about the country’s customs. In addition, visa requirements are essential to know. Learn more about the medical care available. Knowledge about local laws is also critical. Monitor the Department of State website before you travel. Look at the travel advisories before you go to your destination. There is a numbering system in place. Number one through four. Check out another post on this blog about Situational Awareness. https://cruisingthroughlife4now.com/situational-awareness-while-traveling-stay-safe/
State Department Recommendation System
- Exercise normal precautions
- Exercise increase caution
- Reconsider travel
- Do Not Travel
The travel advisories on the Department of State website list each country. The threat levels with posted dates are available. Conditions can change in an instant. A friend recently went to Lebanon on a medical mission trip. They arrived home safely in just two weeks. This was just before the difficulties in northern Israel started with Hezbollah. My friend was lucky to be safe on U.S. soil when the conflict escalated.
“Know Before You Go”
What is my point? It is essential to be aware of the risks involved in traveling. A wrong departure to a specific destination can be fatal. Sure, things happen everywhere, even where we live. Being a cautious, informed traveler gives you better odds of survival. I do not want to sound like a chicken. Let’s use a potential trip to Israel as an example. There have been longstanding tensions in Israel’s northern border area. That further escalated into a war. This was due to the events in the Gaza Strip. Historical knowledge should be a factor in your decision-making process.
Take note!
It’s worth noting that some destinations may have a higher threat level than expected. An example is Jamaica, which is currently at a level 3 threat level. You can find more information on the U.S. Department of State website. Learn why each threat level has been assigned to a particular destination. Doing your due diligence puts you above the curve.
You Can Not Rely on the Press
I wrote this blog in November 2023. At the end of January 2024, the mainstream Press reported the danger of traveling to Jamacia. Much of my insight came from my interest in Jamaica as a travel destination. I saw the Department of State advisory below and rethought my travel plans. The mainstream Press has a lag time that can prove detrimental.
Reconsider travel to Jamaica due to crime. Due to increased risk, the State Department recommends that U.S. government personnel be prohibited from traveling to many areas. Please read the entire Travel Advisory.
Country Summary: Violent crimes, such as home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides, are common. Sexual assaults occur frequently, including at all-inclusive resorts.
State Department Advisory
Local police often do not respond effectively to serious criminal incidents. Arrests are made, and cases are infrequently prosecuted to a conclusive sentence. The frequency of U.S. citizens killed in accidents or homicides is alarming.
Frequently, loved ones wait a year or more for final death certificates to be issued by Jamaican authorities. Emergency services and hospital care vary throughout the island, and response times and quality of care may differ from U.S..standards.
Homicide Rate
The homicide rate reported by the Government of Jamaica has, for several years, been among the highest in the Western Hemisphere. U. S. government personnel are prohibited from traveling to the areas listed below, using public buses, and driving outside prescribed Kingston regions at night.
Read the additional information on travel to Jamaica.
- Do not attempt to bring firearms or ammunition—empty casings. The penalties for carrying weapons and ammunition, even inadvertently, including stray rounds and shells, are severe and can form lengthy prison sentences. Never mind the criminal gang members roaming the streets with firearms.
- Use diligence when walking or driving at night.
- Reconsider using public buses.
- Stay away from secluded places or situations.
- Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
I am not Sure If I Agree With That One.
- Be aware of your surroundings and keep a low profile.
- Enroll to receive alerts and make locating yourself in an emergency easier.
- Follow the Department of State.
- Review the for Jamaica.
- Prepare a contingency plan for emergencies. Review the Visitors Traveler page for the latest travel health information related to your travel.
Violence and shootings occur regularly in many neighborhoods, communities, and parishes in Jamaica. U S. Government personnel are prohibited from traveling to the following areas of Jamaica due to crime:
St. Ann’s Parish—Do Not TravAnn’s Steer Town and the Buckfield neighborhood near Ocho Rios
St. Catherine’s Parish—Do NoCatherine’sanish Town
- Central Village
- Areas within Portmore, including Naggo Head, New Land, Old Braeton, Portmore Lane, Gregory Park, and Waterford
All of Clarendon Parish—Do Not Travel
All of Clarendon Parish, except passing through Clarendon Parish using the T1 and A2 highways.
St Elizabeth’s Parish—Do NoElizabeth’sneyard neighborhood near Alligator Pond.
Hanover Parish—Do Not Go
Logwood and Orange Bay
St. James Parish/Montego Bay—Do Not Go
All of Montego Bay on the inland side of the A1 highway and The Queen’s Drive from San SQueen’sarmony Beach Park
Kingston and St. Andrew Parish—Do Not Go
- Cassava Piece
- Downtown Kingston is between Mountain View Avenue and Hagley Park Road and south of Halfway Tree and Old Hope Roads. Downtown Kingston includes Arnett Gardens and Cockburn. Gardens, Denham Town, Olympic Gardens., Seaview Gardens, Trench Town, and Tivoli Gardens.
- Duhaney Park
- Grants Pen
- Standpipe
- Swallowfield
- Elleston Flats
- August Town
Manchester Parish—Do Not Travel
Green Vale, Gray Ground, Red Ground, and Vineyard neighborhoods of Mandeville
St. Thomas Parish—Do Not Travel
- Black Lane neighborhood in Seaforth
- Grands Penn
- Church Corner neighborhood near Yallahs
- Town of Yallahs, except when driving through on the main highway
Trelawny Parish—Do Not Travel
Clarks Town
Westmoreland Parish—Do Not Travel
- Russia community in Savanna-la-Mar (The Southeastern quadrant of Savannah la Mar east of Darling Street and south of the A2 highway/Barracks Road)
- Morgan Bay
- Kings Valley
- The Whitehall, Bethel Town, and Red Ground neighborhoods of Negril
Please visit the State Department website for updates on travel to high-risk areas.
My Wife is from Kingston, Jamaica. I will not visit due to the rampant lawlessness. The evil-doers do not value life. Gang violence is flush to the point that local law enforcement is fearful and has lost control. You would need armed personnel to escort you on your trip.
Knowing what I know about the instability in most of the country, I believe visiting Jamaica is not worth the risk. This is very sad because it is genuinely a paradise lost. I know how the island was, having traveled there many years ago. It was somewhat dangerous some thirty years ago. Unfortunately, now it is a no-travel country.
Department of State Advisory
Upon careful examination of the advisory, one can see that a particular city has been marked as “Do Not Travel.” It is worth noting that despite being an exquisitely beautiful island with abundant resources, most cruise lines deliberately steer clear of this island.
You will receive alerts on changing conditions in the country you visit. This will help you be more easily located in an emergency. You can also follow the State Department’s Facebook page. If your passport is lost or stolen, take pictures of it. Do you have redundant paper copies hidden? First of all, be safe. It is easy to let your guard down while on vacation. Situational awareness is a good practice. https://floridacruiseextension.com/love-florida-cruises-an-active-abundance-of-amazing-choices/
See the link below for more information.
