U.S. issues new, serious travel advisory for the Bahamas

The United States government has issued a fresh travel advisory, targeting the Bahamas. Currently categorized as a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory, this latest warning comes after increasing concerns over COVID-19. In a statement, the US State Department urged American citizens to avoid all travel to the Bahamas.

The new alert was promoted by rising cases of coronavirus in the Bahamas, which currently has over 6,000 confirmed infections. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has advised that in addition to the prevalent health risks, some areas of the Bahamas have increased crime rates that pose further risk to travelers.

The Level 4 category marks the highest level of the US State Department’s travel advisory system, indicating the highest level of safety and health risks. It typically advises U.S. citizens to refrain from all nonessential travel to the specified country.

The Bahamian government swiftly reacted to the advisory. In a press statement, officials said, “While we acknowledge the advisory, our focus remains on addressing the virus and flattening the curve”. They also noted that despite the advisory, the Bahamas’ airport and seaports continue their operations and are welcoming guests who adhere to the stringent COVID-19 health regulations.

The Department of State has published a list of travel advisories on its official website, providing guidance for US citizens about foreign travel during the ongoing pandemic. The list can be accessed at www.travel.state.gov.

Earlier travel warnings for the Bahamas have been communicated to the public based on crime levels rather than health concerns. However, the ongoing pandemic has led to health-based advisories being issued alongside the crime-based warnings.

The CDC has urged those who must travel to ensure they have received their full COVID-19 vaccination before departure. It goes on to recommend following health guidelines during the journey, such as wearing a mask and social distancing where possible. These guidelines can be found at www.cdc.gov.