The U.S. State Department recently issued a travel advisory warning citizens to reconsider their travel plans to Jamaica due to surges in crime and lacking medical services.
If you’re planning your spring and summer vacations, here’s what you need to know about the travel advisories to Jamaica and other destinations:
What are the 4 levels of travel advisories?
Level 1: Exercise normal precautions: The lowest advisory level for safety and security risk. There is some risk in any international travel.
Level 2: Exercise increased caution: Be aware of heightened risk to safety and security.
Level 3: Reconsider travel: Avoid travel due to serious risk and security.
Level 4: Do not travel: Highest advisory level due to greater likelihood of life-threatening risks.
Jamaica travel advisory 2024
The State Department issued a level three travel advisory on Jan. 23 for Jamaica for crime and lacking medical services.
Is it safe to travel to Jamaica?
Travelers should reconsider their trip to Jamaica due to crime and medical services, according to the State Department. Local police do not respond effectively to serious crimes, and when arrests are made, cases are infrequently prosecuted, according to the advisory. Violent crimes, such as home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults and homicides are common.
Emergency services and hospital care varies throughout the island, and the public hospitals are under-resourced and cannot always provide high level care, according to the advisory.
The State Department encourages travelers to obtain traveler’s insurance, including medical evacuation insurance before traveling to Jamaica. U.S. Medicare and Medicaid does not apply overseas, and most hospitals do not accept U.S. health insurance.
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Other countries with Level 4 travel warnings:
Burma (Myanmar)
Iran
Yemen
Afghanistan
Iraq
Russia
South Sudan
Somalia
Mali
Central African Republic
Burkina Faso
Haiti
Belarus
North Korea
Venezuela
Syria
Libya
Ukraine
Sudan
Countries with Level 3 travel warnings:
Lebanon
Saudi Arabia
Jamaica
Papua New Guinea
Nicaragua
Niger
Colombia
Uganda
Guinea
Nigeria
Mauritania
Guinea-Bissau
Ethiopia
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Chad
Burundi
Trinidad and Tobago
Honduras
Guyana
Guatemala
El Salvador
Egypt
Macau
Pakistan
Planning on traveling abroad? Here are some safety tips:
The State Department advises citizens to sign up for their Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive alerts and to make it easier to locate you in an emergency. Review the Country Security Report for the country you’re planning to visit.
The State Department also recommends preparing a contingency plan for any emergency situations. Review their Traveler’s Checklist.
You can also visit the CDC page for the latest travel health information related to your destination.
Still making your vacation plans? Here’s some non-stop flights leaving Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport
New nonstop flight are leaving Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport in 2024. Southwest is offering nonstop flights to Cancun (CUN) from March 9 to April 7, and will offer nonstop flights to San Diego starting June 8.