State Dept. Travel Warnings and Public Announcements

For the full announcements or further detail on Travel Warnings and Public Announcements, please see http://http://travel.state.gov/travel

Argentina - On July 14 the U.S. Department of State issued the following Travel Alert: "The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Argentina of the health risks associated with the World Health Organization (WHO)-declared 2009-H1N1 influenza pandemic, which has resulted in illness in numerous countries. The current outbreak in Argentina has caused federal, provincial, and municipal authorities to announce several measures to prevent the illness from spreading. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that Americans at high risk for complications of influenza and considering travel to areas affected by 2009-H1N1 influenza, such as Argentina, discuss their travel plans with their doctor. Together, they should look carefully at the 2009-H1N1 flu situation at their destination including available health-care options in the area. They should discuss their specific health situations and possible increased risk of traveling to the area affected by 2009-H1N1 flu. This Travel Alert expires on September 14, 2009.

"The Government of Argentina has announced a US$263 million effort to take action against the influenza outbreak. All of Argentina's 23 districts and the city of Buenos Aires have extended school vacations, some by as long as a month. Twelve of Argentina's districts, including the Province of Buenos Aires and the city of Buenos Aires, have declared administrative health emergencies. Throughout the country, authorities advise against attending events involving large gatherings of people. The media is issuing public health advice on a continuing basis. The federal government is updating measures on a daily basis and has not ruled out more restrictive actions. "As of July 6, the Ministry of Health had reported 2,485 confirmed cases of 2009-H1N1, including 60 deaths. These figures are updated daily. Currently, there is insufficient international scientific data about the course of the pandemic to determine the highest risk groups for complications of novel influenza A (2009-H1N1) virus infection. According to medical authorities, the same age and risk groups who are at higher risk for seasonal influenza complications should also be considered at higher risk for 2009-H1N1 influenza complications.

China - On July 9 the U.S. Department of State issued the following Travel Alert: "The State Department alerts U.S. citizens to safety and security concerns in the city of Urumqi in China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. This Travel Alert expires on August 10, 2009. "On July 5, 2009, ethnic violence erupted in Urumqi. The unrest continued in the following days, with Chinese state media reporting over one hundred and fifty deaths and more than one thousand injured. There is a significant increased security presence in Urumqi and its environs; sporadic outbreaks of violence may still occur. "There are no indications that this violence is directed at U.S. citizens; however, Americans in Urumqi and throughout Xinjiang are advised to avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place. U.S. citizens in Urumqi should remain indoors and avoid unnecessary movement within the city. Americans planning a trip to Xinjiang are advised to defer travel to the region at this time. "U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the Department of State's travel registration website. By registering, American citizens can receive the Embassy's most recent security and safety updates during their trip. Registration also ensures that U.S. citizens can be reached should an emergency arise either abroad or at home. While consular officers will do their utmost to assist Americans in a crisis, travelers always should be aware that local authorities bear primary responsibility for the welfare of people living or traveling in their jurisdictions."

Haiti - On July 14 the The State Department warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to Haiti and urges that they exercise a high degree of caution when traveling there. While the overall security situation has improved, political stability in Haiti remains fragile, and the potential for politically-motivated violence persists. This Travel Warning replaces the Travel Warning dated January 28, 2009, and is being issued to provide updated information on country conditions, and to alert Americans to ongoing security concerns and on contacting and registering with the U.S. Embassy in Haiti. Haiti, like most Caribbean countries, can be affected by hurricanes and other storms. Hurricane season runs from approximately June 1 - November 30 each year. The lack of government infrastructure and rescue services, combined with impassable roads and bridges, have severely hindered rescue and relief efforts.

During the 2008 hurricane season, four tropical storms struck Haiti, causing torrential rains, extensive flooding and mudslides, and hundreds of reported casualties. Most transport infrastructure damaged by the 2008 storms has been repaired, although in many cases repairs are temporary pending the construction of more permanent structures. Haiti has few secondary roads that are in good condition. Drivers traveling on Haiti's roads must be aware that there will be frequent deviations, stoppages and obstructions due to ongoing road construction and repairs. There were violent confrontations between opposing candidates' supporters and armed attacks on polling stations in a handful of Haitian towns during the April 19, 2009, Senate elections. There was less violence in the second round of voting on June 21.

International monitors described the elections as generally well-organized and orderly. The absence of an effective police force in many areas of Haiti means that, when protests take place, there is potential for looting, the erection of intermittent roadblocks by armed protestors or by the police, and the possibility of random crime, including kidnapping, carjacking, home invasion, armed robbery and assault. Although the Haitian National Police are more visible and are gradually contributing to improving public security, especially in the metropolitan area of the capital, Americans in Haiti should practice good personal security, take commonsense precautions and avoid any event where crowds may congregate. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful occasionally turn violent.

U.S. citizens traveling to and residing in Haiti despite this warning are reminded that there also is a chronic danger of violent crime, especially kidnappings. Most kidnappings are criminal in nature, and the kidnappers make no distinctions of nationality, race, gender, or age. The incidence of kidnapping in Haiti has diminished from its peak in 2006 when 60 Americans were reported kidnapped. As of July 2009, one American had been reported kidnapped this year.

In 2008, 27 Americans were reported kidnapped. Most of the Americans were abducted in Haiti's two largest cities, Port-au-Prince and Cap Haitien. Some kidnap victims have been killed, shot, sexually assaulted, or physically abused. While the capacity and capabilities of the Haitian National Police have improved since 2006, the presence of UN stabilization force (MINUSTAH) peacekeeping troops and UN-formed police units remain critical to maintaining an adequate level of security throughout the country. The lack of civil protections in Haiti, as well as the limited capability of local law enforcement to resolve crime, further compounds the security threat to American citizens.

While MINUSTAH remains fully deployed and is assisting the government of Haiti in providing security, travel is always hazardous within Port-au-Prince. U.S. Embassy personnel are under an Embassy-imposed curfew and must remain in their homes or in U.S. government facilities during the curfew. Some areas are off-limits to Embassy staff after dark, including downtown Port-au-Prince. The Embassy restricts travel by its staff to some areas outside of Port-au-Prince because of the prevailing road, weather, or security conditions. This may constrain our ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens outside Port-au-Prince. Demonstrations and violence may occasionally limit Embassy operations to emergency services, even within Port-au-Prince.

Nigeria - On July 13 the U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos jointly issued the following Warden Message: "This warden message is being issued to warn all U.S. citizens of the continuing risks of travel in southern and southeastern Nigeria. On June 29, 2009, a U.S. citizen was kidnapped from a vehicle on the Izombe-Owerri road in Imo State. The U.S. Government worked with appropriate Nigerian authorities to ensure the individual's welfare, who, fortunately, was released unharmed several days later. "Kidnappings of Nigerian and foreign national citizens continue to occur. Individuals have been kidnapped from off-shore and land-based oil facilities, residential compounds, and public roadways. These incidents have occurred in several parts of Nigeria. U.S. citizens in Nigeria are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness. "The Department of State continues to recommend that U.S. citizens avoid all but essential travel to the Niger Delta states of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers. The U.S. Mission adheres to a strict travel policy that requires advance permission of travel for U.S. government officials to the following states: Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom in the Niger Delta, and Abia, Edo and Imo in the southeast. Periodically, travel by U.S. mission personnel is restricted in certain parts of Nigeria based on changing security conditions, often due to crime, general strikes, or student/political demonstrations or disturbances."

Phillipines - On July 10 the U.S. Embassy in Manila issued the following Warden Message: "The U.S. Embassy informs American Citizens in the Philippines to avoid the summit area of the Mayon Volcano, located in the Province of Albay, approximately 300 kilometers (186.41 miles) southeast of Manila, on the island of Luzon. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) raised its alert status for the Mayon Volcano to Alert Level 2 indicating increasing volcanic activity. This alert condition signifies a state of unrest which could lead to ash explosions or eventually to hazardous magmatic eruption. Thus, at Alert Level 2, Phivolcs strongly recommends that the 6 kilometers radius, called the "Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ)," around the volcano and the 7 kilometers extended danger zone on the southeast flank of the volcano are off limits due to the threat from sudden explosions and rockfalls from the upper slopes. Active river channels and those areas perennially identified as lahar prone in the southeast sector should also be avoided, especially during bad weather conditions or when there is heavy and prolonged rainfall. ..."