Community Chat

[foundinlv]

Worldwide Travel Alert

LAST UPDATED: NOVEMBER 23, 2015

The State Department alerts U.S. citizens to possible risks of travel due to increased terrorist threats. Current information suggests that ISIL (aka Da’esh), al-Qa’ida, Boko Haram, and other terrorist groups continue to plan terrorist attacks in multiple regions.  These attacks may employ a wide variety of tactics, using conventional and non-conventional weapons and targeting both official and private interests.  This Travel Alert expires on February 24, 2016.

Authorities believe the likelihood of terror attacks will continue as members of ISIL/Da’esh return from Syria and Iraq.  Additionally, there is a continuing threat from unaffiliated persons planning attacks inspired by major terrorist organizations but conducted on an individual basis.  Extremists have targeted large sporting events, theatres, open markets, and aviation services.  In the past year, there have been multiple attacks in France, Nigeria, Denmark, Turkey, and Mali.  ISIL/Da’esh has claimed responsibility for the bombing of a Russian airliner in Egypt. 

U.S. citizens should exercise vigilance when in public places or using transportation.  Be aware of immediate surroundings and avoid large crowds or crowded places.  Exercise particular caution during the holiday season and at holiday festivals or events.  U.S. citizens should monitor media and local information sources and factor updated information into personal travel plans and activities.  Persons with specific safety concerns should contact local law enforcement authorities who are responsible for the safety and security of all visitors to their host country. 

U.S. citizens should:

• Follow the instructions of local authorities.  Monitor media and local information sources and factor updated information into personal travel plans and activities.  
• Be prepared for additional security screening and unexpected disruptions.
• Stay in touch with your family members and ensure they know how to reach you in the event of an emergency.
• Register in our Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).

Foreign governments have taken action to guard against terrorist attacks, and some have made official declarations regarding heightened threat conditions.  Authorities continue to conduct raids and disrupt terror plots.  We continue to work closely with our allies on the threat from international terrorism.  Information is routinely shared between the United States and our key partners in order to disrupt terrorist plotting, identify and take action against potential operatives, and strengthen our defenses against potential threats.

For further information:

• See the State Department's travel website for the Worldwide Caution,Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

source: http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings/worldwide-travel-alert.html

[Lilysmom]

@foundinlv, thanks for this.  My sister is going to Europe tomorrow.  LM

[dex]

If we have such a frightening alert for the holiday season then is it safe to hurry the refugee process at this time...I pray that everyone has a very safe holiday with family and friends.

[SharkE]

Couldn't pay us enough.

No, thank you.

[ROMARY]

I'm glad the DOD is warning us to be careful, and to observe our surroundings.  The mainstream news, so far, has just skimmed it, as far as I've seen/heard.  (Although I haven't been at home for a couple of hours.)  It's a good idea to be aware and to report anything suspicious, whether it's local community break-in's (two in our area) or anything else.  Everybody, keep as safe as possible.   And make sure the teens we know are more observant, too. 

[Topaz Gem]

I remember an interview with a woman who lost someone on one of the 9/11 planes and she said that if there had been a travel warning, she wouldn't have let her loved one fly.

I think it's a good idea that the State Dept. issued this warning.  Everyone should be informed, then they can make their own decisions.

[Marp]

http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings.html

• Travel Alerts

  We issue a Travel Alert for short-term events we think you should know about when planning travel to a country. Examplehttp://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings.htmls of reasons for issuing a Travel Alert might include an election season that is bound to have many strikes, demonstrations, or disturbances; a health alert like an outbreak of H1N1; or evidence of an elevated risk of terrorist attacks. When these short-term events are over, we cancel the Travel Alert.

  Travel Warnings

  We issue a Travel Warning when we want you to consider very carefully whether you should go to a country at all. Examples of reasons for issuing a Travel Warning might include unstable government, civil war, ongoing intense crime or violence, or frequent terrorist attacks. We want you to know the risks of traveling to these places and to strongly consider not going to them at all. Travel Warnings remain in place until the situation changes; some have been in effect for years.

[Drythe]

Leaving for London on the 30th.  This trip has been planned for 6 months.

Refuse to allow a bunch of lunatics to dictate how I live my life.  Using caution, and the good sense I was born with I avoid such risks as I can. That said, I have a living to earn.

Truly, believe that even in the best of times our days are numbered. 

[Burnsite]

ETA:  Drythe and I must have been posting almost at the same time:  she said what I wanted to say, more concisely. 

It is prudent to issue the alert, but unless things change I will be traveling to London early in December.  The risk of terrorism has been high there since the 1970s, when I studied there and bombs were going off in the Piccadilly Circus underground two hours after I passed through the same stop.  A post office I used had an explosion that killed several people, thankfully not while I was using it.

Terrorism is war of a particularly insidious sort. No lining up of people in red coats and blue coats as if it were a sports match.  One does have to have extreme caution.

But I have my work to do and intend to do it, if travel remains possible.  I could also die on I-95 today, or in my sleep tomorrow.  London is exceptionally well policed and isn't lax, having undergone several of these incidents in recent years.  It was very very tense in the neighborhood (Covent Garden near Trafalgar Square) where I stayed last year.  I am a bit further off in Bloomsbury this year as the atmo of intense scrutiny was not pleasant.