US travel alerts: ‘Increased caution’ reissued for 2 European travel hotspots

Federal officials have reissued advisories for three top travel destinations, including warnings for two European hotspots.

The U.S. State Department periodically issues or updates travel advisories for countries around the world, ranging from Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions to Level 4: Do Not Travel.

Advisories for two European countries – United Kingdom and Italy – were reissued under Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. In both cases, the State Department cites the possibility of terrorism in the countries.

“Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas,” warnings on both countries note.

Visitors to Great Britain are also at risk of violence by “dissident groups in Northern Ireland, focused primarily on police and military targets.”

An advisory for a favorite Caribbean travel destination, Cayman Islands, was also reissued as a Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions. Travelers are advised to prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations and enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive any alerts related to the country.

Other reissued travel advisories include:

Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution

• Bahrain
• Jordan
• Saudi Arabia
• Sri Lanka
• Tanzania

Level 3: Reconsider Travel

A range of alerts was also reissued for Mexico ranging from exercise normal precautions to do not travel due to issues ranging from crime and gang violence to kidnapping.