The U.S. State Department announced a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory on Thursday, urging U.S. citizens to stay home, cancel international trips and return home if they are currently abroad. The advisory is the state department’s most severe travel warning, typically issued to advise citizens against traveling to active war zones.
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A warning posted to the department’s website reads, “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.”
It continues, “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.”
In what’s being considered an unprecedented move, the State Department also issued a Level 3: Reconsider Travel advisory worldwide.
A statement on the department’s website reads, “Reconsider travel abroad due to the global impact of COVID-19. Many areas throughout the world are now experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks and taking action that may limit traveler mobility, including quarantines and border restrictions. Even countries, jurisdictions, or areas where cases have not been reported may restrict travel without notice.”
The coronavirus outbreak has affected the entire world, with over 255,000 cases in 177 of 195 countries across the globe. In the United States, there are currently more than 14,000 confirmed cases of the virus.